Yes, the Master Cares!

Readings: 1^st: Rom 8: 31-39; Ps: 122; 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 with the Spiritan International Group of Puerto Rico &  Dominican Republic. He is the Administrator of Parroquia La Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Chancellor of the Diocesis of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico. For more details and comments contact him on: canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, cancilleriadfh@gmail.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today, we celebrate a special Mass for the period of Pandemic recommended by the Congregation of Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. So, the readings for this mass are taken from among the readings recommended for the celebration of Mass in the time of pandemic.

Our gospel from Mark was carefully selected for this Mass. It echoes the joint cry of the God’s people for divine intervention from our Savior, Jesus Christ. Like the disciples of Christ caught up in a terrible storm, we are calling out to the Lord with one united voice: “Master, do you not care that we are perishing?”

Today our communities, societies, countries, the rich and the poor feel like a small boat lost in the sea of life, without much hope of arriving at its destination. Jesus seems to be sleeping in our boat, since no divine power seems to appear to save us from the violent and very cold hands of COVID – 19.

In view of this desperate situation, Mark reminds us that Jesus is present in the midst of our family and community. He will definitely overcome and dominate the torment of COVID 19, (something we cannot control), and which has caused much chaos in our life.

So, one very important lesson we must learn from today’s gospel is this. The disciples were experienced fishermen. If they think that they are going to sink, then the situation is really dangerous. Christ continues to sleep, not due to fatigue, but as an expression of a calm and peaceful trust in His Father’s protection.

Today, we believe that we have mastered everything. However, when things go wrong, we blame God for not caring. The good news is that, our faith provides the calm and peaceful trust Jesus had, rather than the anxiety and fear that his disciples had.

So, in the mist of this COVID 19 storm that is trying to sink our boat, Christ is not asleep as many of us think. He will surely rebuke the storm: “Quiet! Be still!” So, let us trust him, as he trusted his Father.

Peace be with you all!

Maranatha!