Gospel Reflection June 20 – Deacon Paul
Sunday, June 20
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mark 4: 35-41
Gospel:
On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples:
“Let us cross to the other side.”
Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.
And other boats were with him.
A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat,
so that it was already filling up.
Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.
They woke him and said to him,
“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”
He woke up,
rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”
The wind ceased and there was great calm.
Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified?
Do you not yet have faith?”
They were filled with great awe and said to one another,
“Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”
Gospel Reflection:
“Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” Life can certainly be overwhelming and out of control from time to time. Circumstances can seem too much for us to handle. The sea of life can be rough, and the wind can be strong causing our boats to take on water and sink. The disciples in today’s reading clearly were fearing for their lives…even with Jesus in the same boat with them.
When we have fear in our lives, our faith can be on a stormy journey. We can perhaps make the storm about Jesus. “Jesus, do you not care that we are sinking? Can’t you do something to make it all better? Can’t you make it go away?”
Storms will happen in our lives and faith will not eliminate these storms from our lives. “Faith does not take us around the storm, but it takes us through the storm.” It is faith that will allow us to see and to know that Jesus is truly with us. Faith is what allows us to be still…to be peaceful…much like Jesus asleep in the stern of the boat in the midst of the storm. Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to us.
Friends, the power of God is stronger than any wave that beats against us. The love of God is deeper than any water that threatens to drown us. The lesson that Jesus teaches us today, both with His words and with His actions, is simple…when Jesus is with us, we are safe. Have a life based on faith…do not be terrified!!
Also, this weekend, let us be thankful for the fathers in our lives and the love they have shown us. May all fathers follow the example of Saint Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father. God Bless you all.
-Deacon Paul Zemanek