Do you not care that we are perishing?

Greetings on this the Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: 2 Sm 12:1-7a, 10-17; PS 51:12-13, 14-15, 16-17; Mk 4:35-41

Notes

In our first reading today, we are reminded of the crushing weight of sin. Nathan describes to David the odious behavior of a rich man invoking a righteous judgment within David, only to have same judgment be turned back upon himself. The judgment is reflective of the consequence of his actions not an unforgiven sin.

Nathan answered David: The LORD on his part has forgiven your sin: you shall not die.

However, the consequences or effects of the sin are laid plainly before him:

1. The sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah to be your wife.
2. I will bring evil upon you out of your own house.
3. I will take your wives while you live to see it, and will give them to your neighbor.
4. The child born to you must surely die.

David received, more fully, the consequences of sin and even that is truncated by mercy.

In our gospel portion today, the Divine is asked a simple but powerful question: Do you not care that we are perishing?

A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?”

Summary

The Lord indeed knows we are perishing. That is why he came. The gospel portion today using the stormy sea to reflect two very important realities:

1. There is the storm of life.
2. There is a loving God to respond and come to our aid (even as we think he is not watching and caring seemly asleep).

The storm is not final answer. The mercy and lovingkindness of the Lord is the final answer.

Reflection

The big storm of our life is sin. All other difficulties pale in comparison to sin. As our responsorial psalm 51 says, we have a remedy in the mercy of the Lord.

Personal Reflection

Personally I can say the most difficult moments in my life are a result of my sin. Not others. Not society. Not circumstance. Me. I am the cause of my own miseries. Yet I trust, each time I confess and turn back to the Lord, A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me. And, again, Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me. And, finally, Free me from blood guilt, O God, my saving God; then my tongue shall revel in your justice. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Because, he has answered the question while hanging on the Cross.

Do you not care that we are perishing? Yes, yes he does.

First Reading

Instead he took the poor man’s ewe lamb and made a meal of it for his visitor. You have done this deed in secret, but I will bring it about in the presence of all Israel, and with the sun looking down.’

Responsorial

Create a clean heart in me, O God.

A clean heart create for me, O God,
and a steadfast spirit renew within me.
Cast me not out from your presence,
and your Holy Spirit take not from me.

R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

Give me back the joy of your salvation,
and a willing spirit sustain in me.
I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners shall return to you.

R. Create a clean heart in me, O God.

Free me from blood guilt, O God, my saving God;
then my tongue shall revel in your justice.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

Gospel Acclamation

God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

Gospel

The Calming of a Storm at Sea.

They woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry