Out of the Storm

Greetings on this the Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jb 38:1, 8-11; PS 107:23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 30-31; 2 Cor 5:14-17; Mk 4:35-41

Tyranny of the Senses

In sacred scripture there is often this contrast: the LORD answered Job out of the storm. In the midst of a great crisis, comes the calming voice of the Lord. Cross-reference these instances: Ps 18; 50; Na 1:3; Hb 3:2–15.

Sometimes we are calmed in the midst of the storm. Sometimes we are calmed after the storm and then comes the realization we made it through with the divine assistance.

But in the storm it can be terrifying! When all we have are our sense, reason and logic all can seem lost. But we are more than our feelings. We are more than our senses. We are more than logic and reason. All these things are naturally good and are in fact a solid basis for moving beyond them into faith, hope and charity.

Said another way, because I am self-possessed of logic and reason, I do not fear the unknown, nor the unknowable except through the trust in love. If love is strong in you, as it is in me, then you know without knowing that our bonds are ethereal. We persist beyond time, space and the dimensions we can measure accurately.

Yet using the yardstick of love and devotion,

evidenced in the emergence of young love,

the compelling action of romance and childrearing,

the enduring nature of marriage,

the self-giving care of elders for the young,

and the list goes on and on!

We have plenty of Heroes, Volunteers, Saints and others we lionize for their extreme examples of love of the Other.

It is love that allows me to declare: Help us, O Lord, for we are troubled; give the command, O God, and bring us peace.

Tyranny of Evidence

Anglican Preacher: Mark Edington’s sermon The Tyranny of Evidence found here: https://saintjohnschurch.com/sermons/the-tyranny-of-evidence/

Our Psalmist’s Viewpoint

They cried to the LORD in their distress;
from their straits he rescued them,
He hushed the storm to a gentle breeze,
and the billows of the sea were stilled.

They rejoiced that they were calmed,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the LORD for his kindness
and his wondrous deeds to the children of men.

Summary

Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

Reflection

Are we not consoled when in our miseries someone comes and holds our hand? Speaks softly to us to calm our fears? How much more so the divine hand and divine voice. He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!”.

Personal Reflection

Anxiety is a part of life. It is a powerful and useful tool to keep us safe. But given a power beyond its purpose is destructive. It is a transitional gift to navigate from one critical moment to the next critical moment. But that is as far as it goes. Instead the yardstick of love is the measure of my future. Love, as presented in a variety of ways, gives me courage and strength to be good and to see good in the world around me. God is here and he is watching and aiding all of us. I believe because I know love.

Sacred Readings

Full link: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062324.cfm

First Reading

The Lord addressed Job out of the storm.

Responsorial

Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.

Second Reading

Brothers and sisters: The love of Christ impels us.

Gospel Acclamation

A great prophet has risen in our midst God has visited his people.

Gospel

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