"It is I. Do not be afraid!" A Moment To Pause: Saturday April 18th 2026

Welcome to our Oblate morning reflection with Mary O'Brien in Dublin. Today's gospel is from John chapter 6 verses 16 to 21. This is the piece of scripture we often refer to as “Jesus walking on water”. The disciples had got into their boat and as they left the shore, the waters became rough. This will have made them uneasy. We know from the end of yesterday's gospel that Jesus had gone up a mountain to be by himself. So had he noticed their anxiety, because for whatever the reason, he came across the water to be with his disciples, as the gospel says, “They saw Jesus walking on the lake and coming towards the boat.” As he neared the boat, he said, “It is I! Do not be afraid.” For me, the message here is that Jesus will be with us in the times of storms and trouble in our lives. He does not abandon us. One of the well-known Easter songs is; “Stay with us, Lord, we pray you. Alleluia!” Let that be our prayer today. Thank you for joining us. May the Lord bless us all and keep us safe this day. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.  #dailyreadings #scripture #gospel #bible #catholic #prayer #jesus #miracle #benotafraid