Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary time June 23, 2024
Readings Job 38:1, 8-11; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17; Mark 4:35-41
There is a story about a captain who in his retirement
skippered a boat taking day trippers to the Shetland Islands. On one trip the
boat was full of young people. They laughed at the old captain when they saw
him saying a prayer before sailing out because the day was fine and the sea was
calm. However, they weren't long at sea when a storm suddenly blew up and the
boat began to pitch violently. The terrified passengers came to the captain and
asked him to join them in prayer. But he replied, "I say my prayers when
it's calm. When it's rough I attend to my ship."
In today's Gospel, Mark recounts that Jesus was with his disciples in the boat, amidst the storm, seemingly asleep. The disciples failed to understand that Jesus' presence did not guarantee an absence of challenges. However, they were aware that in times of trouble, they could turn to him. They roused him, exclaiming, "Master, do you not care that we are perishing?" This teaches us a valuable lesson: if we do not seek God during the tranquil moments of our lives, it is unlikely we will find him amidst turmoil. But if we make it a habit to seek him in times of peace, we will assuredly find him when adversity arises.
The theme of Divine power is evident in today's first reading from the Book of Job. The Israelites understood that only God holds complete control over the universe's elements. The Book of Job poses several questions about the presence of evil in the world, particularly the suffering of the innocent. It asks why young children succumb to cancer or other terminal illnesses. Job, an innocent man, endures suffering and wrongful accusations of guilt from his friends, yet he maintains unwavering trust in God. God asserts His dominion over the seas and all forces, declaring that ultimate victory is His. Therefore, Job has no cause for doubt. In his calm moments, Job trusted in God, and even in turmoil, God remained with him.
Many Christians today seek the presence of Jesus in difficult, confusing, and frightening situations, wondering where to find Him. It may seem as though He is distant, fast asleep, or indifferent to the struggles of His people. In their distress, people cry out, "Lord, don't you care? We are drowning. The storms have overwhelmed us, and the enemy is torturing us." Jesus responds by assuring His presence, promising to calm the storms in the life of the church community. The early church, through prayer, recognized that Jesus was with them, leading to a sense of inner peace. They understood that the real storm was within their own fears and anxieties, and the peace they sought was also within their hearts.
Let us then draw some points for our reflections.
The presence of Jesus: Jesus is with His disciples in the boat, symbolizing His constant presence in our lives, even when He seems silent or distant.
Power of Jesus: By calming the storm, Jesus demonstrates His divine authority over nature, reaffirming God's sovereignty. He is powerful. Everything is possible for Him.
Faith Over Fear: The disciples' fear contrasts with Jesus’ calm, challenging us to trust Him even in the face of life's most frightening storms.
Let us then apply it to our lives.
Trust in God's Sovereignty: Just as Job was reminded of
God's supreme power, we too must trust that God is in control, even when life
seems chaotic and beyond our understanding.
Cry Out to God: The psalm encourages us to turn to God in
our distress. When we feel overwhelmed, we can be assured that God hears our
cries and is capable of bringing us to safety.
Live for Christ: Paul’s message in 2 Corinthians invites us
to reorient our lives around Christ’s love. This transformation allows us to
face challenges with a renewed sense of purpose and strength.
Cultivate Faith Over Fear: The Gospel calls us to reflect on
our faith. In moments of fear and uncertainty, we are challenged to deepen our
trust in Jesus, who has the power to calm the storms in our lives.
The readings of the day remind us of God's omnipotence, His
saving power, and the call to a deeper faith. As we navigate the inevitable
storms of our lives, let us remember that Jesus is always with us. By trusting
in His presence, relying on His power, and living transformed lives in His
love, we can face any storm with the assurance that He will guide us to calm
and safety. May our faith be strengthened today and always, as we place our
trust in the One who commands the winds and the waves.
Happy Sunday
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