Homily for 23 June 2024 by Fr. Gerard Jonas
Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Mk4,35-41 Calming the Storm at Sea
Today, let us reflect on 4 things from the Gospel:
1- Some, if not most of the disciples of Jesus were fishermen. They were very familiar with anything that goes on at sea. Why did they seem so scared in a familiar territory? They might not have control over the situation, but they certainly knew what to do. Well, even doctors and nurses and their families get sick. They are not spared from what they help alleviate other people. In times when we are not in control over the situation, it takes a real act of faith to shift our attention to Him who has the power over anything and everything. To call upon Jesus calms down our fears and worries even before the situation settles down. Ps 55:22 assures us: Entrust your cares to the Lord and He will support you.
At Vigils early this morning, we heard from the Message of Pope Francis in 2021, “The Lord is there, present; indeed, he waits for us to engage him, to invoke him, to put him at the center of what we are experiencing. His slumber causes us to wake up. To be disciples of Jesus, it is not enough to believe God is there, that he exists, we must put ourselves out there with him; we must also raise our voice with him. We must cry out to him. Prayer is often a cry: “Lord, save me!”. Prayer becomes a cry.”
Today, we are reminded that the Lord is with us in the boat, always with us in the journey, to bring us to safety.
2- “Quiet. Be still.” Jesus rebuked the wind and it ceased buffeting the boat. Jesus also pacified the disciples’ terror, though not before He had first rebuked them for not yet having faith. They had been with Jesus for already some time, had heard and seen Him, and yet still did not have faith.
Mark shows a facet of the identity of Jesus- the power of Jesus. His words do not only teach, they also command. As the psalmist proclaimed: He calms the roaring sea [Ps 65:8]; He rules over the surging of the sea [Ps 89:9]; He is more powerful than the roaring of the sea [Ps 93:4]. Little by little the identity of Jesus is revealed from his infancy up to his crucifixion. Those around him would wonder “Who is this child/ man?” and then later affirm: “Truly He is the Christ”.
3- There were other boats with them. The power of Jesus benefits everyone, not only his disciples. We may not always be at the center of the situation, but nevertheless we are affected or we affect others around us. There is truly a social dimension in grace.
4- Today Jesus continued to teach – no longer the large crowd but his select disciples, not from a boat but in the boat. The boat has always been an ancient Christian symbol for the Church, and to some extent, also of the individual soul, that is en route to its safe harbor in the arms of our loving and merciful God. The water symbolizes the world or life in the world that at times can turn terrifyingly turbulent.
The Church also reminds us that we have Mary who is also called Stella Maris, Star of the Sea, a navigational support for the Church at sea. In the twelfth century, Saint Bernard of Clairvaux wrote: “If the winds of temptation arise; If you are driven upon the rocks of tribulation look to the star, call on Mary; If you are tossed upon the waves of pride, of ambition, of envy, of rivalry, look to the star, call on Mary. Should anger, or avarice, or fleshly desire violently assail the frail vessel of your soul, look at the star, call upon Mary.
As Cistercians, we pray the Liturgy of the Hours 7 times a day. And at each time, we commend ourselves and one another to the love and protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Indeed, she is our advocate and guide to His Son, our Lord Jesus.
