XII Sunday in OT:2015: Job 38:1, 8-11; II Cor 5:14-17; Mk 4:35-41

XII Sunday in OT:2015: Job 38:1, 8-11; II Cor 5:14-17; Mk 4:35-41

Introduction: The role of God in calming the storms of life both in the history of the Church and in the lives of Christians is the central theme.  Christ is with us even in the midst of all the storms of this life. Therefore, this is a great cause for our life safety. And today is fathers Day.

Anecdote: I have heard a series of complaints that I often hear from some of our fathers. The responsibility of fathers makes them more nervous and complaints. It will be something like this: "You know, I would just like to have a few days without turmoil. Somebody in the family is usually in trouble. This Teen missed her curfew, that child lied to us, my wife is upset over something someone said to her, and somehow, beyond my knowledge, I get blamed for part if not all of it.  There's sickness, someone is always not feeling well and that is scary particularly when it is the children. There are the bills. I am not even going to go there. And then there are the relatives. I can't figure out whose family is crazier, mine or hers, but they are running a tight race. Then there is work which so help me I wouldn't do if they didn't pay me. I turn on the news. What a break that is. I'm not sure if we are going into global warming or global freezing, but somehow it's going to be bad. Between the politicians, the economy, and world events, every day it looks like everything is even worse than the day before. The world is in turmoil.” I am sure that everyone here, not just the dads, have had similar feelings. It's probably like we all wish we were back in kindergarten where we had no concern at all. They laugh most of the day, except when they are crying, and then a quick kiss from Mom and all is right with the world again. But we are not in kindergarten any more. We are in the real world. And the real world has turmoil.

Readings: The readings for this Sunday speak about turmoil. The first is from the Book of Job. This is the conclusion to the main section of Job. In the main section of Job, from the middle of chapter 2 to the beginning of chapter 42, Job questions God. Job had lost his livelihood. He had lost his children. He was in terrible physical pain. Chapter 3 begins, "Job opened his mouth and cursed his day.  But, “Out of the storm,” God reminds Job that He is in control.  Today’s Responsorial Psalm picks up the storm theme and tells us how the Lord saves the sailors caught up in the high waves of a tempest. Paul who "rode the storm" of rejection, from his former friends also experienced storms of violent hostility from the Jews who refused to believe that Jesus was the promised Messiah. So he explains in the second reading that Jesus died for us to make us a “new creation.”  In order to receive this gift, we have to respond to his love by living for him in all situations of our lives.  In the Gospel, St. Mark assures the first-century believers that nothing can harm the Church as long as the risen Lord is with them. He describes how, by a single commanding word, Jesus stilled a storm on the Sea of Galilee, returned the sea to its natural order and saved his followers from drowning. 

Exegesis: World life and our life in the world is turmoil. We need to make it calm. St. Paul says, if God is with us who can be against us. It is Christ who strengthens us. Therefore keep Jesus in our life’s boat and seek his help in the storms of life.  

Joke:  Being married for 25 years and intending to make their silver anniversary a memorable one, the wife asked her husband to describe her.  He looked at her slowly, and said – You are A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, ….. and I, J, K…..  The wife was puzzled and so she asked – Now what does that mean? So he said – Adorable, Beautiful, Cute, Delightful, Elegant, Foxy, Gorgeous, Hot.   The wife smiled and beamed and said – Oh you are such a sweet darling.  What about I, J, K?

He said – I’m Just Kidding!

Practical Applications:  We need to accommodate Jesus in the boat of our life.  We all experience different types of violent storms in our lives: physical storms, emotional storms, and spiritual storms.  We face storms of sorrow, doubt, anxiety, worry, temptation and passion.  Only Jesus can still these storms.

Introduction: Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Message: In the midst of adversity, we need to trust in the saving presence of God who triumphs over the waters of the sea.  In the midst of distress, let us turn to the Lord with faith, to him whom even the wind and the sea obey.  He died and rose for our sake that we might live and not perish.

Saints and Events in this Week: 21 – Today – Fathers Day; 22 – Twenty Second – Monday – Saint Paulinus of Nola, Bishop; Saints John Fisher, Bishop and Thomas More, Martyrs; 24 – Twenty Fourth – The Nativity of John the Baptist; 27 – Twenty Seventh – Saturday – Saint Cyril of Alexandria, Bishop, Doctor of the Church;