12th Sunday of Ordinary Time

12 Sunday of Ordinary Time ~ 23 June 2024 ~ Scripture Readings for Mass: I: Job 38: 1, 8 – 11; Responsorial: Psalm 107; II: II Corinthians 5: 14 – 17; Gospel: Mark: 4: 35 – 41

The storms of life come. Sometimes we anticipate when there may be time to prepare for the winds, waves, and drenching trials or sorrows that arrive. And there are those storms that suddenly rise up when they are least expected. The storms of life bring challenges and circumstances beyond our control and strength. We may marshall all our personal resources and even the help of others. But we learn, repeatedly, the truth that life often brings more than we can handle on our own.

Our Scripture shared this week in our Liturgy, shares the power and Presence of Jesus, the Living Word, and can bring Heaven’s light into the dark reality of our storms of this life. The Old Testament readings tell of Job, who knew painfully and intensely about the storms of life and of God seeking to speak to Job, from the storms he faced. The Psalm in, elegant poetry bears witness to those who traveled the sea in ships, often through the very real storms of life. The Epistle of Paul speaks, indirectly of this theme. But it contains a powerful verb of insight. The Holy Spirit, teaching us through Paul, shows us how those who follow Christ are impelled by and in the love of God. And it is in the familiar Gospel lesson we travel with the disciples, impelled by Jesus into the boat and soon into the very storms the sea could bring. In the majestic light of God’s Word we can see that to belong to God, and to follow Jesus means that we will face storms wherein we must choose where to place our faith, in the storm? Or in God? In the great storms of life, and in our everyday journey with Jesus we need to learn these storms are about Power, Truth or Integrity, and Trust.

Many are the storm fronts we face in these times. The season of potential literal fire storms is with us. Our nation is entering what promises to be stormy political wars where discerning true values and integrity will be awash in immense waves of hype and hyperbole. In the church, there are storms of divisive strife and fear. Storms of scandal, litigation, and bitterness have brought destructive waves that seek to batter and destroy those in the Barque of Saint Peter. In homes and families storms of relationship struggles, flounderings of faith, health, and basic financial security are very real. Regardless of the place or scope of these storms, they bring us the call, and the opportunity to grow through their Power, to mature in Truth and Integrity, and to be impelled in Love and Trust, with Jesus our Lord.

Queen of the Martyrs Catholic Church, Dayton OH, Tornado Damage May 2020

POWER is always a harsh element of storms. When we encounter the storms of life we are plunged into circumstances where we must admit, we are not in control. The security of having a life where we choose, when, what, and with whom is challenged, and even, at times lost. Storms impact us physically, psychologically, and spiritually. We may fear or actually face dangers beyond our ability to cope. And spiritually our very relationship, our faith in Christ may seem, feel lost. Yet it is through the harsh, relentless winds and waves we can grow in discerning, knowing, and experiencing truth and integrity in life.

Truth, Integrity – The disciples of Jesus learned well this way, this path with Emmanuel, God with us. They were growing as faithful followers of Christ. He had said they were to cross the sea. So in faith, in obedience, they got in the boat with the Lord. And in the dark night of their souls, the storm came. For these experienced and seasoned fishermen to be so frightened by the power of the winds and waves speaks volumes of the storm they were in, while Jesus slept. The deadly, destructive power of the water and wind was very real. It could not be ignored. They were forced, with all their experience, knowledge, and integrity to accept their danger and seeming destruction. They knew that soon they could be, truly in, ‘over their heads’. Except that Jesus was with them. They prayed, and they called out to God who appeared to be actually asleep. It is in our feeble faith we can call out and enter into a power and truth far greater than any storm we may be in. We can discover the Truth of Jesus, Emmanuel, with us, and that with Him it will be well with our souls.

TRUST – The disciples in the Barque of Peter had to decide. They quickly perceived the need to choose to continue trusting in the waves and winds of fear and doubt that could drown them or would they trust the Lord and the love of God who was with them? These are choices that we face daily. Are we going to trust, just in what we see, feel, or fear. The experienced “influencers” of this world have knowledge and insight, often very accurate, and we would be foolish not to heed the doctors, counselors, lawyers, and accountants of life. But when we allow our own life, our family, our church, and our nation to be directed by this wisdom without first, and foremost heeding the Truth who is God we are perilously foolish.

From our reading in the Book of Job and many other Scriptures, we are taught that the battles and storms of life are not just about the weather or physical elements and people. The power behind the storms we encounter is often from sources and conflicts far beyond what we see and know. And our omniscient Lord Jesus is the Truth that will lead us through whatever storms we face. Jesus, with his disciples in the boat, did not perform some meteorological analysis and corrections. God simply intervened and commanded the waves and winds to be still. Jesus then looked at his soggy, early followers and asked, “Why are you so terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

So it is with each of us. God allows our storms to bring us closer to Him. As we call out to our Lord he will respond in the ways that are best for us. We may learn our body is but a temporary vessel that can, and will one day fail. But that, with Christ it is well with our soul. We will learn that our trust is to be in God, our love, not in our feelings or knowledge but in Him who loves us. Eternally.

There is a true story that bears witness to what we share. In 1873 a Christian man, Horatio G. Spafford had been through some intense losses and struggles. He made plans to go to England with his wife and four daughters. In a last-minute change of plans, he sent his family ahead to England. While crossing the Atlantic their ship had a fiery collision with another vessel. The ship sank and many, including his four daughters, were lost. His wife would wire him, “Only I am saved.” It is said while sailing to meet his bereaved wife he came to the place where his daughters had drowned. As he sailed over that place he was given the following verses that would later be set to music by Philip Bliss:

The storms of life will come. The power and life-changing reality they bring cannot be denied or ignored. But when we realize Emmanuel is with us, even if he seems to be sleeping, are we not being given a blessed opportunity to learn of God’s greater Power, to choose God’s way of Truth, of Integrity, and to decide what or in Whom we will place our Trust and our Love?

12 Sunday of Ordinary Time ~ 25 June 2023 ~ Bible Readings for Mass: I: Jeremiah 20: 10-13; Responsorial: Psalm 69; II: Romans 5: 12-15; Gospel: Matthew 10: 26-33

The picture above of sparrows at bath time is a personal invitation to you. You are invited to go outside, and simply sit, listen, watch, and share the simple joys and peace of creation and God’s creatures. You easily could just look at the picture, or watch a video on youtube but I urge you don’t settle for a virtual visit with creation and our Creator. Let it be real.

In our Gospel this Sunday Jesus speaks of sparrows and the fact that each one is known and cherished by God. Christ does so to emphasize what he is trying to get across to the apostles and to us. We are called to not give way to fear but to live a vibrant faith in God who cherishes us all.

The boundless scope of this love is expressed in St. Paul’s letter to the Romans. The Holy Spirit, through Paul, proclaims the cruel reality of sin inherent from Adam and manifest in our fallen human condition. Yet in this fallen state, Christ reaches us and extends the graces of God, this holy gift of redemption to all who will receive him. And it is through this infinite grace we are freed from our fears.

Suspension Bridge, Tuting India *[escapestories.in / @apertureadventures]*

Fear is a prominent thread in the fabric of our Bible readings today. The Prophet, Jeremiah recognizes both the reality and power of fear in the world in which he lived and was called by God to proclaim God’s call of repentance and hope that was so needed. And Jesus confronts the fears of his followers as he emphasizes, he commands; “Fear no one… do not be afraid.”

The fear nots of God are plentiful through both the Old and New Testament. But the context of each fear not is so important. In our Gospel reading today Jesus seems to be mixing his signals for the Apostles. He speaks of sparrows, secrets, what is hidden, and what is shouted from the housetops. While the fabric is of many hues the message is clear Jesus is preparing his apostles, his disciples for the work of God’s Kingdom. This formation process is never-ending. Jesus uses the simple, humble life of sparrows to help his followers know that as precious as each bird is to God so much more are they of value. And it is that boundless grace, that infinite love that Jesus wants his people, wants us, to share. These were not secrets to be kept to an inner circle of privileged, spiritually superior souls. What God whispered in intimate love to the hearts of the faithful is to be shouted from the proverbial housetop.

Secrets! That which is hidden! These words from the Gospel have sometimes been used to say every secret of our life and heart will be revealed. But that is not what Jesus is saying. God is contrasting the common practice of secret rites and religious practices common then (and now) with a clear call that our task is simply, to humbly proclaim Jesus, crucified in holy love and risen from the dead in holy power. It is not about our knowledge and intricate practice of precise traditions and liturgies. It is not about our pride in knowing more or praying better than someone else. It is about Jesus in our lives, saving, loving, and redeeming us. It is about our message.

So, what is my message? What is the message of my life? It is fairly easy to say the words and share the actions in an hour at church or at a Bible study. But what messages am I sharing in the moments and days of my life? When I am facing weakness or fears what is my message? To help us discern and honestly hear ourselves let’s go back outside with the sparrows.

The birds enjoying the birdbath are full of life. In their bird words, they are undoubtedly praising God for their day, their life, and the simple joys God has brought. But they know fear too. The sound of a Sparrow Hawk, or the stealthy approach of the local tabby cat reminds them life is not always easy. But the sparrows will not be chained to their perch in worry and anxiety. They know, as simple creatures, they are created for life and to praise God in song. They affirm and remind us of what is taught in the Baltimore Catechism: “God made us to show forth His goodness and to share with us His everlasting happiness in heaven.”

With the sparrows, we are called to face our fears with the conquering courage that surges from the unquenchable love of God. And it is as that holy fount of hope and joy flows through our lives that we then join the sparrows in singing, praising our trust in God. Jeremiah knew this well. He knew the intense fears of his chaotic world. But he would not be chained by those fears. He would proclaim his message: “Sing to the Lord, praise the Lord…!” And the Psalmist acclaims the same: “See you lowly ones, and be glad… Let the heavens and earth praise him, the seas and whatever moves in them.”

Jesus knew full well the real fears his apostles would have to face. Jesus also knows full well all the fears his disciples in this broken, violent, and wounded world now must encounter. But God also knows the power His love will bring when we each, and together choose to proclaim our praises and worship of God. Not just in that hour at church. But in the daily steps and moments of life, even if we are called to cross a bridge that appears that it will collapse at any moment.

The sparrows may well sense better than we the presence of God’s helpers, God’s angels. Perhaps that is why birds love to sing. Something very powerful and profound happens when we choose to praise, to worship God instead of our fear or whatever else the evil one may bring. The opening words of the Morning Office are: “Lord open my lips, that my mouth can proclaim your praise.” This is no idle phrase. It is an expression of the soul (and the entire Church) intent on praising and serving God as best they can in God’s graces. It is a phrase that I sense the sparrows understand in their own distinct way. We are made to worship God. And it is as we open our hearts, our lips for God that we start to hear and know we are not alone. We are not called to sing solo for God. We are called to simply proclaim our part. It is then that God’s choir (even if unheard by us), will join us. Alleluia! Our God reigns!

Redwood Journal

Writings by Harry Martin, Permanent Deacon.

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12th Sunday of Ordinary Time

Faith in the Storm Or, Faith in God?

Sparrows, Fear, Faith, and Praise to God