Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yr B. June 23, 2024
Readings
1st: Job 38:1, 8-11
2nd: II Corinthians 5:14-17
Gospel: Mark 4:35-41
Theme: When The Lord Speaks, Calm Shall Return
My dear people of God, today is Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Yr B. Our reflections would focus on the theme. "When the Lord speaks, calm shall return". God has not promised to keep us completely out of "storms" but He promised to be with us in them always. One of the most awesome forces around us is the sea. Even in its normal state, the sea radiates fear. The scene is worse when it is in storm. One's awe changes to sheer terror at the sight of the high, violent and forceful waves. All those who toil on the sea in tiny boats can best testify to this terrifying experience. In ancient times the raging of the sea was identified with evil forces. Influenced by the religious environment, the "chosen people of God" (Israelites) were also guided, whether consciously or unconsciously, by those beliefs. However, they also believed strongly that their true God was more powerful than the roar of many waters; He could rule over the surging of the sea. He had the power to command it to silence". That is what our First Reading of today depicts. We are very familiar with the trying experiences of Job. He had been battling and rebelling against the "storms of human condition" and was demanding that God should prove His ever presence and powers. In his fight against the "storms of life" Job grew from a state of patience to one of impatience. He questiond why God seems to have allowed an innocent person like him to suffer. In the response of God the ancient belief that the good shall prosper and the wicked suffer, which seems to be accepted in earlier conversations by both Job and his friends, is swept away as irrelevant and baseless. At the end of what looks like a cross examination of Job, God shows Himself as the creator and sole Master of the universe and has wisdom and justice that transcend those of humans. It is amazing that the sea (of life) is depicted as a troublesome infant in need of a loving Mother (God) to keep it calm. The Mother not only clothes, feeds and calms the "troublesome infant" (the sea) but also sets limits as to where the infant can or cannot go - "a picture of a Mother with total control over "a troublesome infant".
Though we are not told directly, it is easy to see and safe to conclude why Mark, Luke and John all told the story of Jesus in the storm with the "faithless disciples" on the lake - just to corroborate their common experience of Jesus as truly God. It is important to be aware that there was nothing abnormal about the storms rising, especially towards the evening, the time today's episode took place. We should also be aware that the disciples were veterants (experienced) on the sea because they earned their living as fishermen. The rising of storms and the battle with them were daily experiences. Therefore, if they cried out for help, then this particular storm must have been especially violent. We can picture the waves breaking over the boat so violently that it was sinking. Even the most macho and daring of sailors in such an instance will become very religious by force - just as everybody would shout, "Jesus, Jesus"! in times of imminent danger like (car) accident. This is what our today's Psalmist subtly alludes to. The fullest wealth of our today's reflections is contained in Mark telling us that Jesus was asleep while the disciples were scared to the bone by what looked like "the end is here". This was not a picture of a human being resting/sleeping. It was a vivid replay of how God brought calm and order out of primordial chaos at the dawn of creation. Jesus' command to the storm and the sea are the same words He used earlier to rebuke the "evil spirit" in the man who was possessed in the Synagogue in Capernaum. "Quiet! Be still!" By implication, the raging sea was identified with the forces of evil spirit. Even today we use the same words to silence a barking dog just to prevent/stop it from causing possible harm to unsuspecting strangers. The sudden calm that returned to the sea (of life) confirms that God alone has absolute power over the forces of chaos/evil.
Given the above, the authoritative silencing and calming of the storm and the sea should not be seen just as a historical event that happened sometime somewhere involving some people (the dispairing disciples). It should still be a practical experience of every man and woman of faith. That in the presence of Jesus we can have peace even in the wildest storms of life. Storms are bound to come our way. We don't need to invite them. Sometimes we are still grappling with one and a more violent and terrifying one arrives. However, our victory shall always be assured if a "storm" knocks at our door and we ask/tell Jesus to respond. The danger is when we think we can respond to every "knock" of storms by our own might/power of wealth, knowledge, position in society, etc. Common experience will tell us that the devil has no iota of respect for any of these temporal labels. If the Lord does not build the house...". Last week the preacher admonished us to Pray, Persevere and be Patient ( P.P.P.), because no condition is permanent. "Storms" will come in our marriages, at out work places, in our health, in our businesses, etc. As a nation, Ghana is currently tossed up violently by unprecedented "storms" of blatant mismanagement of state resources, abysmal implementations of crucial national policies, excruciating hardships, increasing crime rates on daily basis, etc. In the face of all these dehumanizing and paralyzing experiences (in our own Mother Land), the author of our today's Gospel points us to whom we should ran. "Lord JESUS, don't you care that we are perishing". Surely, the Lord will speak and restore calm into that violent and terrifying storm and peace shall return to the "sea of life". No matter how violent the storm is, the Man paddling the canoe is "My Father" and His Canoe has never capsized. This One Too Shall Pass. Just Pray, Persevere and be Patient. Continue to pray the Holy Rosary daily. God richly bless you and your family.
Rev. Fr. Thomas L. Debuo - Catholic Diocese of Damongo, Ghana. (0244511306/0243711926)