“They rejoiced that they were calmed,
And he brought them to their desired haven.”
Psalm 107:3o
Readings
Job 38:1, 8-11
2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Mark 4:35-41
Reflection
by Sister Judith Bloxham, OSB
In the first reading from the Book of Job, the Lord addresses Job in the midst of a mighty storm. He asks Job, who it was that created the mighty oceans, using the image of the birth of a child. He speaks of shutting the door on the oceans’ roaring waves… a very poignant image of God’s power over His creation.
In St. Paul’s Second Letter to the Corinthians, he used this mighty image of creation as Christ’s dying for all of us. He encourages us to live out the conviction that, as Christ died for us, we now must no longer live just for ourselves; rather, we live for, and in Christ, who was raised from the dead. “…whoever is in Christ is a new creation.”
In the Gospel for today, Jesus invites His disciples to go with him in crossing to the other side of the Sea of Galilee in one of their boats. It is interesting to note that they left “the crowd” to do this. Jesus had been addressing a large crowd of people that day and He must have been understandably tired. It is noted that He was asleep in the stern, even in the midst of the turmoil of crashing waves which broke into the boat. The disciples woke him from his sleep and Jesus immediately calmed the waves. When there are waves of turmoil crashing in our lives, do we implore the Lord to calm us down and give us peace? Do we have the faith to believe that the Peace of the Lord is near, is within us, even when we are one of those with little faith? At times, especially now in our world, may we sense that inner peace and generously share it with others. Even we, of little faith, can help to calm the waves of uncertainty which so many are experiencing in their lives.
From the Rule of St. Benedict
“Your way of acting should be different from the world’s way; the love of Christ must come before all else. You are not to act in anger or nurse a grudge. Rid your heart of all deceit. Never give a hollow greeting of peace, or turn away when someone needs your love.” Chapter 4, Verse 20-26 (Translation – RB 1980)
Gospel Acclamation
“A great prophet has risen in our midst, God has visited his people.”
Luke 7: 16