TEACHER, DO YOU NOT CARE…

Job 38:1,8-11

1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind: 8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth from the womb; 9 when I made clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band, 10 and prescribed bounds for it, and set bars and doors,
11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed?

2 Corinthians 5:14-17

14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died.
15 And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once regarded Christ from a human point of view, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.

Mark 4:35-41

35 On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” 36 And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. 38 But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?”
39 And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
40 He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” 41 And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”  

MEDITATION

THE FIRST READING describe God’s unequivocal rebuttal to Jobs questions which was borne out of ignorance and a lack of trust that God is not only the author of the universe, but He is also the commander-in-chief who has the power to constrain the cosmic operations. 

St PAUL’S EPISTLE sees an adjustment of his tone that had the hallmarks of dissipointment that the people have been led astray by false teachers. Paul seeks to encourage the people when he allude to the sacrament of baptism that initiated the transformation and recreation of the people who are endowed with the Spirit’ of the resurrected Christ. It thus follows that the members of the body of Christ embrace His love and live accordingly.

St MARK’S GOSPEL: Religious vows that we and our sponsors make at our baptism, confirmation, marriage or religious vocation ceremonies are mileposts with responsibilities that are consequencial. Today’s reading signify a profound change whereby the Apostles decide to take responsibility of their destiny fully aware that our Lord is on standby!

Our faith in Christ is not a “personal” relationship insofar as it exclude our responsibility for the salvation of a spouse, children or neighbors. By referring to ourselves as Christians we necesserily invite Christ and fellow passengers with the promise that we shall care and journey with them! Our failure to righteously navigate our lives as skippers with, in and through Christ Jesus will have fortuitous consequences that may shipwreck our salvation if indeed we have abandoned, aborted and casted loved ones overboard during stormy times in our lives! Fathers and so-called leaders who are asleep in the stern must awake, straighten their backs and lead the family and the people to God by example! Let us allow Christ who has dominion over nature to take command of our lives also and reunite us with loved ones and steer us to calming waters and a safe harbour where we will find rest in and through His love, grace, mercy and forgiveness.

LET US PRAY: Psalms 107:23-26,28-31
23 Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters;
24 they saw the deeds of the LORD, his wondrous works in the deep.
25 For he commanded, and raised the stormy wind, which lifted up the waves of the sea. 26 They mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths; their courage melted away in their evil plight;

28 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress; 29 he made the storm be still, and the waves of the sea were hushed.
30 Then they were glad because they had quiet, and he brought them to their desired haven. 31 Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to the sons of men!

Author. Henry R SYLVESTER Note: The daily scripture readings are taken from the Roman Missal which the Catholic Church use in the daily Celebration of the Holy Eucharist throughout the world.Some weekly readings may differ because of the celebration of local feast days