Quiet! Be Still.

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
June 21, 2015

We are the people of the Lord, the flock that is led by his hand: come, let us adore him, alleluia.

First reading                                      Job 38:1,8-11

From the heart of the tempest the Lord gave Job his answer. He said:

Who pent up the sea behind closed doors

  when it leapt tumultuous out of the womb,

when I wrapped it in a robe of mist

  and made black clouds its swaddling bands;

when I marked the bounds it was not to cross

  and made it fast with a bolted gate?

Come thus far, I said, and no farther:

  here your proud waves shall break.

Psalm                                              Psalm 106:23-26,28-32

Second reading                              2 Corinthians 5:14-17 

The love of Christ overwhelms us when we reflect that if one man has died for all, then all men should be dead; and the reason he died for all was so that living men should live no longer for themselves, but for him who died and was raised to life for them.

  From now onwards, therefore, we do not judge anyone by the standards of the flesh. Even if we did once know Christ in the flesh, that is not how we know him now. And for anyone who is in Christ, there is a new creation; the old creation has gone, and now the new one is here.

Gospel                                               Mark 4:35-41 

With the coming of evening, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind they took him, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. Then it began to blow a gale and the waves were breaking into the boat so that it was almost swamped. But he was in the stern, his head on the cushion, asleep. They woke him and said to him, ‘Master, do you not care? We are going down!’ And he woke up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, ‘Quiet now! Be calm!’ And the wind dropped, and all was calm again. Then he said to them, ‘Why are you so frightened? How is it that you have no faith?’ They were filled with awe and said to one another, ‘Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey him.’

Reflection

By Fely C Santiago

“Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

God is in CONTROL. He will guide us by His grace in the perfect life He desires for us. I just arrived from Rome. In the Mass we attended in one of the chapels at  St Peter’s Basilica, the message from the readings that really struck me was “God delivers us from our fears and with God nothing is impossible”. What a fitting message and great reminder while we were in the seat of the Catholic faith, where Pope Francis resides, the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica! While touring the place, I am awed and amazed at how could this structure came about. What talent, what skill was used to create this magnificent place. It can only come from our God. Truly with God nothing is impossible.

Everyday we are also  surrounded with everything that makes us fearful. While in Dubai, as I watched TV, I always hear the news about ISIS every time I open the news. So many negative news around the world. It is so much fearful. What if…what if? Then here in the Philippines, there is the potential of a great earthquake to happen that could affect Metro Manila. Again, what if..what if?

If we really just focus on our fears, we get paralyzed. But the readings today reminds us to be still, to be quiet. Just hold on to Jesus. God is in control. We should not be terrified but remain steadfast in our faith and trust in God. 

I have learned to journey this life with thanksgiving. Just enjoy each moment. Celebrate life to the fullest in whatever circumstances we are in. Enjoy each season of our life. Just like a tree that withers in winter, then leaves and flowers start sprouting in spring, come full blown in summer only to fall again in autumn and the cycle continues. Same with our life. Do not sweat on the small stuff. Value your relationships. Enjoy life and live it to the full. Meet new friends. Serve people and be a blessing to all. Do not let fear rule our life. Stay in faith. God is good all the time! He is always in control. 

Let me share with you the lyrics of the song "You Are Mine" by David Haas. What a very reassuring words from our loving God!

I will come to you in the silence
I will lift you from all your fear
You will hear My voice
I claim you as My choice
Be still, and know I am here

I am hope for all who are hopeless
I am eyes for all who long to see
In the shadows of the night,
I will be your light
Come and rest in Me

Chorus:
Do not be afraid, I am with you
I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me
I will bring you home
I love you and you are mine

Prayer

Our dearest Lord, thank You for always being there for us. Deliver us from our fears and give us the grace to put our trust in You. Give us a childlike trust so we can overcome all the storms in our life. Help us to be still and treasure every moment that we have. Life is short. Help us make the most of it by taking risks so we can reach our highest potential for Your glory. All these we ask in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.