SOCL, Sunday12B

Sunday June 23, 2024

Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?.

See

While it is not comfortable, to be in crisis is probably the natural state of the Christian project. Even in Jesus’ day: “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. (Luke 6:26) Likewise, quite early on, the story of the storm at sea was read as a kind of allegory, representing the (later) church undergoing trials. The natural feeling of being abandoned is captured in the raw emotion of Mark’s account. Mark also tells us where to seek help: Who then is this? Like the disciples, we have no full understanding of Jesus and yet, like them, to him we turn.

Listen

Job 38:1, 8-11; Psalm 107; 2 Corinthians 5:14-17; Mark 4:35-41

Reflect

(Mark 4:35-41)

-The image of a boat in a stormy sea is a symbol of life in difficult times and can represent inner turmoil, anxiety and high emotions. When you have been in such circumstances, perhaps a “Jesus person” came to your assistance and calmed you down? Recall that person with gratitude.

-The image can also be applied to a family, a community, a parish, or any other group. Remember people who have had a gift of bringing peace to troubled situations.

-The significance of miracles in the Gospels is that they show Jesus as one who brings God’s power to bear on human need and suffering. Have there been times when you have been a channel for this healing power of God, holding a crying child in your arms, calming the anxiety of a friend, or being a peacemaker in a group to which you belong?

Pray

In the beginning, O God, your word subdued the chaos; in the fullness of time you sent Jesus, your Son, to rebuke the forces of evil and bring forth a new creation. By that same power, transform all our fear into faith and awe in your saving presence. We ask this through your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024, June 23). Twelfth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062324.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/

SOCL, Sunday11B

Sunday June 16, 2024

Jesus spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it.

See

Sleep, which has the power to mend the tangled threads of worry, serves as a miraculous therapy that nurtures the soul on a daily basis. It is beautifully echoed in the passage from John 11, where it is said, "Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will be all right." This highlights the profound healing and rejuvenating effects of sleep. At times, it is more beneficial to allow situations to unfold naturally, as indicated by the idea that things will fall into place by themselves. This concept is widely understood by parents who have learned to have faith in the inherent process of development and maturation. In today's society, the prevalent error lies not in being passive but in engaging in excessive and overly meticulous activism, which can easily escalate into unnecessary meddling. Some aspects of life simply require patience and the bravery to refrain from unnecessary interference in order to blossom and reach their full potential.

Listen

Ezekiel 17:22-24; Ps 92 (91); 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34

Reflect

(Mark 4:26-34)

-If you sow seeds, or watch plants grow, you have ample opportunities to pause in wonder at the whole process of growth. It takes place imperceptibly and comes to fruition in beautiful flowers, majestic trees and abundant harvests.

-Jesus uses this as a parable about the growth of the Kingdom of God, the kingdom of right relationships with God and with one another. There too growth is slow, development is imperceptible, and then without realizing it you have a mature relationship. Recall the stages of such development in your life and relationships, and give thanks.

-In the second parable Jesus invites us to reflect on the importance and significance of relationships in our lives as they grow and mature. This is true both of our relationship with God and with others around us. When have you found a relationship in which you could “make nests in its shade”?

Pray

O God, at whose bidding the seed will sprout and the shoot grow towards full stature, hear the prayer of your assembled people. Make us trust in your hidden ways, that we may pray with confidence and wait for your kingdom now growing in our midst. We make our prayer through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Act

-Prioritize Sleep: Ensure you get enough rest each night to support physical and mental well-being.

-Practice Patience: Trust the natural process of growth and avoid micromanaging.

-Embrace Non-Interference: Recognize when to step back and let things unfold on their own.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024az, June 16). Eleventh Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/061624.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/

SOCL, Sunday10B

Sunday June 09, 2024

Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.

See

In our time, those who “persist” in religious faith can seem to outsiders “beside themselves.” The question needs to be asked: who is more sane, those who say life has a deep purpose and meaning and those who evidently content themselves with a “this world only” view. The apparently more rational view is ultimately irrational, in the literal sense that life has finally no reason, no ratio. By contrast, for the believer, behind the gift of creation stands a Giver. Within the gift of love, we come to know the Lover. As we gain and lose in life, finally nothing is ever truly lost. Faith is ultimately wholesome and utterly sane.

Listen

Genesis 3:9-15; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1; Mark 3:20-35

Reflect

(Mark 3:20-35)

-It can be the case that within the family of the faith a deeper and more personal conversation is possible than with our blood relatives. Even with relative strangers, it is possible to reach a deep level quickly on account of the shared experience and worldview.

-To be divided against ourselves / myself is both common and destructive. Like Paul in Romans 7, we all know this sense of being pulled in different directions. Consistent choosing of the good will eventually shape within us an orientation towards God and his will.

-A strong sense of tradition (good in self) can blind us to both the necessary and the new. Those “from Jerusalem”, meaning people in leadership, are at special risk. Remember: And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and the wine is lost, and so are the skins; but one puts new wine into fresh wineskins. (Mark 2:22)

Pray

God our redeemer, in Jesus your promised Messiah, you crushed the power of Satan. Sustain your Church in the struggle again evil, that, hearing your word and doing your will, we may be fashioned into a household of true disciples who share in the victory of the cross. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

Act

-Reflect on Purpose: Spend a few minutes daily contemplating the deeper meaning behind your actions and experiences to foster motivation and fulfillment.

-Practice Gratitude: Acknowledge and express thanks for daily blessings to enhance appreciation and positivity.

-Balance Gains and Losses: View challenges and losses as growth opportunities, maintaining peace and equanimity through life's changes.

References

-United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. (2024ax, June 9). Tenth Sunday in ordinary time. USCCB. https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060924.cfm

-Sunday readings. (n.d.-s). Hearers of the Word. https://www.tarsus.ie/SundayReadings/