“Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!”

The season of Epiphany continues to unveil who Jesus truly is—not only to the nations, but also to our often-frightened hearts. Today’s readings place us in a moment of tension: between fear and faith, between love and misunderstanding, between the presence of God and our inability to recognize him. In the Gospel, the disciples are in a familiar situation: they are doing what Jesus told them to do. He sent them ahead in the boat, yet they find themselves battered by contrary winds in the darkness of night. Obedience has not spared them from struggle. This is already a word of consolation for us. Faithfulness does not mean the absence of storms. Sometimes, following Christ places us right in the middle of them. Jesus is not absent, however. While the disciples strain at the oars, he is on the mountain in prayer. He sees them. And at the fourth watch of the night—when exhaustion is greatest and hope is weakest—he comes to them, walking on the very waters that threaten to overwhelm them. What terrifies them most is not the storm, but Jesus himself, unrecognized. They mistake his saving presence for a ghost. Fear blinds them to grace. Then comes the heart of today’s theme: “Take courage, it is I, do not be afraid!” Literally, Jesus says, “I am.” The divine name echoes across the waves. The One who fed the multitude, the One who rules the seas, the One who is God-with-us is already there. The storm does not end until Jesus enters the boat. Peace comes not from calm circumstances, but from recognized presence. The First Letter of John deepens this revelation: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear.” Fear thrives when love is incomplete, when we do not yet trust that God truly abides with us. The disciples had seen the miracle of the loaves, yet their hearts were still hardened. They had experienced power, but not yet fully grasped love. Knowledge of God without love leads to fear; love opens our eyes to recognize God even in the dark. Psalm 72 points us to the kind of king Jesus is: one who rescues the poor, hears the cry of the afflicted, and saves the lives of the lowly. This is not a distant ruler, but a compassionate Savior who draws near, especially when we feel helpless and alone. Every nation will adore him not because he terrifies, but because he loves. In our own lives, we too face nights of resistance—emotional, spiritual, communal. We row hard, pray earnestly, and still feel tossed about. At times, God’s approach unsettles us because it does not match our expectations. Yet today Jesus speaks directly into our fear: Take courage. Do not panic. Do not harden your heart. Recognize me. Epiphany reminds us that Christ is revealed not only in light, but also in storms. When we remain in love—loving one another as God has loved us—fear loses its grip. The courage Jesus offers is not bravado; it is trust rooted in love. And when love is perfected in us, we discover that the One we feared was never against us—he was always coming to save.