Twelfth Sunday of the Year: B: June 23, 2024

 THE MYSTERIOUS AND INSCRUTABLE WAYS OF GOD

First Reading: Job 38:1 and 8-11

Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5: 14-17

Gospel Reading: Mark 4: 35-41

   *First reading is from the book of Job. Numerous sufferings and losses faced by Job- a just man - are described in detail. The Lord God reveals to Job that His ways are mysterious and incomprehensible to humans. Job is asked by the Lord God regarding the various mysteries of the universe. He is unable to answer satisfactorily to any of the questions put by the Lord God regarding the universe and its complexities. Finally, Job accepts the Lord God's mysterious plans and totally subjects himself to Him. We are all aware that even today, as we learn from the astrophysicists, that they are not able to explain satifactorily the origin, complexities of the universe and the laws governing it. So like Job, we too must humble ourselves before the Lord God. 

   *Second reading is from the second letter of St. Paul to Corinthians. Paul explains to the Christian community at Corinth and to us that Christ's redeeming love has saved us. To be part of Christ is to be part of the new creation that Christ died for. Paul invites everyone of us to live a Christ-centered life and not a self-centered one. 

Peace, be still... Jesus' command over the powers of nature                                       Today's Gospel reading is from St. Mark, Chapter 4. A detailed narration of how Jesus calmed the rough sea and the wind is given. It is one of the instances in the Gospel where Jesus exercises His authority over the powers of nature. Jesus and His disciples are travelling across the sea in a boat after a tiring day's work. Being tired and exhausted, Jesus soon sleeps on the stern of the boat. While at sea, a great storm arises and the boat is at the point of sinking due to the rough sea and the wind. The disciples are totally frightened and lose all hope. They cry for help and beg Jesus to save them from the life-threatening situation. Jesus gets up and commands the sea and the wind. There is a great calm after that. The question put by Jesus to the disciples is very relevant: "Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?" Jesus allows the storm to trouble the faith of His disciples. But He is in their midst helping them to come through it. When we face storms and disturbances in our lives, we too could hear the gentle voice of the Lord calming us and assuring us: "Fear not, for I am with you." Then the waves of fear will subside and the rays of hope will shine on us too. Today Jesus invites each one of us to do what he did for the disciples in distress. Jesus wants us to make ourselves available to persons who have lost hope, who are caught up in the middle of storms of life: sickness, financial losses or even loss of dear ones. Now it is our turn to give courage and strength and help such persons to come through it. May the Lord of the universe grant each one of us peace in the midst of the many stormy situations in life. 

Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said: "Peace begins with a smile."

Thomas A Kempis (a spiritual writer) once said: "First keep peace with yourself, then you can also bring peace to others."    

(Kindly note: Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph is available on YouTube. Please view, like, share and subscribe to the video version on YouTube. "YouTube/Sunday Reflections with Fr. Joy Joseph" on Google search. Thanks.)