Do Not Be Afraid, The Lord Will Calm Your Storm!

Readings: 1st: Job 3, 1.8-11; Ps 106; 2nd: 2Cor 5, 14-17; Gos Mk 4: 35-41

 This brief reflection was written by Rev. Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a Member of the Congregation of the Holy Ghost Fathers and Brothers (Spiritans). He is currently working at the Sanctuario del Espiritu Santo, en Dorado, Puerto Rico, del Internacional Grupo Espiritano De Puerto Rico – Republica Dominicana. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today is the twelfth Sunday of the church’s ordinary time. In it, the holy mother church reminds and encourages us her children that, Christ is with us even in the midst of all the storms of this life. Therefore, this is a great cause for celebration and thanksgiving because we are so glad that Jesus cares for us.

Both the first reading from Job and the Gospel of Mark today, reminds us that God is the creator of the world. Hence, he has the power to control and regulate all the natural, physical and spiritual forces or activities going on in this world. He has the whole world in his hands and so, directs the course of our lives and the history of this world. He knows when best to intervene both in our personal life and in the history of our entire world. This is evident in his timely response to Job and, intervention in the situation of his disciples. According to our second reading, when God intervenes, he does so out of love for us his children and world. This was what he did when he allowed his only son Jesus Christ to die at the appropriate time in order to save and renew us.

Life is full of storms. At times, they can become so strong and strange that that our human strength can no longer support us. At such moments fear and complains might take over the central stage of our life. Even in some cases, we might lose our faith in God, thinking that he has abandoned us or that he does not exist. These storms come in different forms. They could be: problems in our marriage, our children who are not responding well, lack of good job, poor finance, inability to procreate, or a prolonged sickness that has defiled all treatments. They could also be the inability to find or maintain a good and stable relationship or, falling out with people all the time. They could also be poor results in our academics or business. The list is unending, but these represent the realities we face every day. Brethrens, The truth is that, there is no assurance that our lives would be completely free of storms. However, the good news is that, there is an assurance that Christ is with us to help us succeed.

There are two basic truths that the gospel reveals to us about these problems. The First is that, Christ is with you in that boat and, is aware of the storm you are battling with. So, you cannot be with Him and yet sink. It is not possible! The second is that, no matter how experienced you think you are in navigating your own boat, you cannot overcome your storms alone. Hence, Christ tells us: “Apart from me, you can do nothing.” There is no doubt that before inviting Christ, his disciples made much effort to control their own boat. However, when they failed, they cried out: “Lord, do you not care if we perish?” Of course, Christ intervened because he assured us: “Call upon me in times of trouble and I will help you” (Ps 50: 15).

Finally, there are three things we must continue to do. First, rather than live in fear, seat and, complain like Job, or give up completely, let us cry out and invite the Lord to help us. This is because: “Our help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth” (Ps 121, 1-2). Second, we must continue to show profound faith in God, his Son Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Spirit. That is, faith that makes us believe that God created us in love sustains us with his providence and, will save us through his mercy. Third, we must continue to be thankful to God in all circumstances of our life. So, with the psalmist let us: “…Give thanks to the Lord, for his love and mercy endures forever.”

Peace be with you!!

Maranatha!!!