Storms of Life

Scripture Reflection for the twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time (June 21, 2015)

Scripture Readings:
Job 38:1, 8-11
Psalm 107:23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 30-31
2 Corinthians 5:14-17
Mark 4:35-41

In this week’s Gospel we read about Jesus calming the storm on the sea. While journeying across the sea, a violent storm overcame the boat and violently tossed the boat about the sea. The disciples were filled with anxiety and feared for their own lives. They boldly woke up Jesus and questioned if he had any concern for their own well-being. They felt as though he had no concern for the fact that they all might perish in the storm. It can be easy to relate to the disciples in this situation. Just like the disciples, sometimes our own faith in God may diminish during frightening, turbulent, or stressful moments in our lives. In the stormy moments of our lives we may feel as though God has abandoned us or does not care about us. We may boldly question God’s intentions and even question whether God is truly there for us. During our most trying times, we may feel that God is off on the sidelines sleeping while we struggle and suffer.

St. Paul also reminds us in his letter to the Corinthians that the love of Christ impels us. Christ’s ultimate sacrifice calls us to no longer live for ourselves but for Christ. Paul believes that our lives should be transformed by the love shown to us by Christ through his death on the cross. Paul reminds us that we share in the new creation brought about by Christ. If we are truly transformed by the love of Christ it should be reflected in our everyday words, deeds and actions. Paul’s letter serves a as a good reminder that as people of faith we are called to live our lives for Christ and shed our selfish ways. Christ gave his life for all of humanity so in turn we should give our lives to Christ and serve his will on earth.

Both readings encourage us to believe that God is always present to us even during the turbulent times in our lives. We have to trust that God is always there for us and cares for us. Just as the disciples were left in awe after witnessing Jesus calm the storm, we are left in awe when we experience the presence of God in our everyday lives.