A Christmas Moment - Friday 9th January 2026

In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit  Amen    Good morning and welcome, and thank you for joining us for our morning prayer with the Oblate Family . My name is Rob.   Today’s Gospel is from Mark Chapter 6, verses 45-52  “Do not be afraid.’    The Gospels frequently show Jesus withdrawing to pray, and in today’s reading from Mark we glimpse one of those moments. After the intensity of feeding the great crowd, which we read yesterday, Jesus retreats to the hills, seeking stillness and communion with his Father.   He sees his disciples struggling at sea, exhausted, pushing against a fierce headwind.  And so Jesus leaves the mountain and goes to them, crossing the water with words that steady their fear: “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”   Mark quietly suggests that true prayer never isolates us. To pray is to be drawn into God’s loving attentiveness to others. That is why so much of our prayer becomes prayer for others. Authentic prayer deepens communion in two directions at once: with God, and with all those who, like the disciples in the boat, are battling the winds and waves of life.     Lord, teach me to love the place of prayer. Remove distractions that pull me away from You,   and give me a heart that longs to speak with You daily.  Let my prayers be honest, humble, and full of faith.  Amen.    In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.    Amen    Thank you for joining us today.