HOMILY FOR 12TH SUNDAY OF THE ORDINARY TIME – YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: GOD IS EVER WITH US
BY: Fr. Isaac Awe
Job 38: 1 -11, 2 Cor 5: 14 -17, Mark 4: 35–41
Now, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not apparent. (Hebrews 11:1)
Dear friends in Christ, we should know one thing for certain that our God is not DEUS ABSCONDUS(God who creates and abscond). However , in our reading of today, we can see the nexus between humanity and divinity of Jesus who is a promise keeper, storm calmer, joygiver, peace radiator, loving Father. However, we can experience God’s intervention if and only if we exercise patience in our moments of trials and not the alone, we should recognise him in everything we do through faith.
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Why are we scared? Why do we think God is not a caring father? Why are we doubting God’s love for us? Why do we think God has deserted us? Do we not know the God we are serving? Psalm 23 and John 16: 33 are enough to calm out fears if truly we depend on God alone. Hence, all these questions may come to our minds often if we have neglected Christ by disobeying his commandments like that of Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:9-15).
THINGS TO ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND
God is ever with us and we are never alone.
When God is with us, nothing should scare us.
We shouldn’t think his love is deceptive and we should always keep in mind Sirach 2:1, John 16:33)
God has power over every situations.
If sea and winds obey God’s voice, why are we not?
How can we fight fear with faith? Jesus’ sleeping presence on the storm-tossed sea reveals the sleeping faith of his disciples. They feared for their lives even though their Lord and Master was with them in the boat. They were asleep to Christ while he was present to them in their hour of need. The Lord is ever present to us. And in our time of testing he asks the same question: Why are we afraid? Have we no faith? Do we recognize the Lord’s presence with us , especially when we meet the storms of adversity, sorrow, and temptation? Whenever we encounter trouble, the Lord is there with the same reassuring message: “It is I, do not be afraid.”
What are the characteristics of faith and how can we grow in it? Faith is an entirely free gift that God makes to us. Believing is only possible by grace and the help of the Holy Spirit, who moves the heart and who opens the eyes of the mind to understand and accept the truth which God has revealed to us. Faith enables us to relate to God rightly and confidently, with trust and reliance, by believing and adhering to his word, because he is utterly reliable and trustworthy. If we want to live, grow, and persevere in faith, then it must be nourished with the word of God.
“Do not let your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe in me also.(John 14:1). Fear does not need to cripple us from taking right action or rob us of our trust and reliance on God. Courage working with faith enables us to embrace God’s word of truth and love with confidence and to act on it with firm hope in God’s promises. The love of God strengthens us in our faith and trust in him and enables us to act with justice and kindness towards our neighbour even in the face of opposition or harm. Do we allow the love of Christ to rule in our hearts and minds, and to move our will to choose what is good in accordance with his will?
Reflection: And if my people, over whom my name has been invoked, being converted, will have petitioned me and sought my face, and will have done penance for their wicked ways, then I will heed them from heaven, and I will forgive their sins, and I will heal their land. (2 chronicles 7:14)
PRAYER: Lord, increase our faith in your redeeming love and power that we may always recognize your abiding presence with us. And give us courage to do your will in all circumstances. Amen
Happy Sunday !
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