CATHOLIC HOMILY FOR 12TH SUNDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: THE PRESENCE OF JESUS MAKES A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR LIFE WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH
BY: Friar Tochukwu Okonkwo, OFM Cap.
Job 38: 1 -11, 2 Cor 5: 14 -17, Mark 4: 35–41
The first reading (Job 38:1. 8-11) introduces today’s gospel (Mark 4:35-41) and shows us the place of “seas” in the Jewish culture. The calming of the sea by Jesus demonstrates his power as God who alone can control nature.
The Jews believed that the heavens belong to God, the earth is his footstool which he has given to humans, and the seas to uncontrollable forces which are sometimes seen as demonic. That is why the calming of the sea by Jesus seemed a huge surprise to them, and they began to wonder who he must be, for even the waves of the sea obey him. Nothing of such had ever been seen or heard of.
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The first reading is part of the response of God to Job and his friends. God shows them the finitude of human knowledge and abilities. The moment Job accepts his nothingness and foolishness before God, he restored all he lost.
The gospel shows Jesus and his disciples on a boat that was storm-tossed. The frightened disciples awoke Jesus from sleep and he calmed the tempest of the sea.
The second reading (2 Cor. 5:14-17) demonstrates the confidence we should have knowing that Christ by his death on the cross, has made us new creatures.
LESSONS FROM TODAY’S LITURGY
1. The presence of Christ in our lives does not make us immune to storms just like the disciples were not spared. However, Jesus challenges us to trust him because he is greater than every storm. Heb. 12:5-6 tells us that God punishes all those he loves and chastises every child he receives.
2. In the faces of storms and temptations we may risk taking the wrong way or seeking solutions outside of Christ if we are not careful. Faith in Christ does not guarantee a believer will not face violent storms (pain, losses, hardships, deaths, disappointments, setbacks, etc.). The book of Sirach/Ecclesiasticus 2:1 says that if you must serve the Lord, you ought to be prepared for ordeal.
3. If Jesus takes up your case and speaks in your stead no one can oppose him because even the winds obey him. (1 Pet. 5:6-7 says you should cast all your cares on him for he cares for you). Who else could care for us the way he does?
4. Being faced with challenges of life is not a sign that God does not love you. Isaiah 55:8-9 says that his ways are not ours, and his thoughts are far above ours as the sky is above the earth. Also, in Jer. 29:11 he says “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” However, we must note that the road to the good plans may involve his having to take us through stormy and thorny pathways.
5. If we have faith, we will not doubt him in our trials and tribulations because we will know that he is present. We would only turn to him and seek him earnestly. In Is. 43:1-3 God tells you not to be afraid for he has redeemed you…when you pass through the waters, he will be with you…when you pass through fire it shall not burn you. True faith makes us turn to God and then wait on him who is a master planner. Faith gives us strength and confidence when we are storm-tossed.
6. Jesus invites us to “cross over.” We are to move from doubt to belief just as Job or the disciples who were in the boat with Jesus did. Remarkably, Jesus’ ministry is surrounded by waters. He crossed the waters several times and even chose some of his disciples from the waters for they were fishermen. We become cleansed from original sin and become candidates for heaven only when we bathe in the waters of baptism. Let us, therefore, crossover from hatred to love, from malice to brotherly love, from unforgiveness and bitterness to forgiveness and so on.
7. The Bible only gives consoling words for painful experiences and never promises us a painless life or journey. We must therefore never give up on God come what may.
May God’s presence be always felt in the inescapable storms of your life. Amen.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT: When life throws lime at you, make out lemonades from it. Use all setbacks as stepping stones in your life. The presence of Jesus in your life makes a difference if you trust him. Be blessed!
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