12th Sunday in Ordinary Time. – June 20, 2021 – Mark 4: 35-41 – Msgr. Chris Heller - Homily
Intro: at the start of today’s Gospel, Jesus instructs his disciples in these words: Let us cross to the other side. The other side of what? The other side of the Sea of Galilee, which itself possessed a WIND TUNNEL , and was 4.0-7.5 MILES WIDE. They were ALSO crossing over into what was then PAGAN TERRITORY, reminding us Jesus came to save every single person. It was THERE Jesus performs a miracle, one which helps the disciples, & also encourages you and me to KEEP placing faith in Jesus. If we have ever in any way lost faith or confidence in God’s power to save us, be it related to the pandemic or now, let us ask for God’s mercy.
Before we reflect together on the Gospel, I want to state something of a personal nature: I LOVE this Gospel every time it is scheduled for our cycle of readings. The reason is simple: I very much enjoy 15-20 minute a day power naps. And to hear that Jesus was taking a nap, in the stern of a boat, in the middle of the afternoon, provides me some great support. And so, without apologies, I can imitate my master Jesus in this and in so many other ways, all the while knowing that those power naps I take DO restore me and others to greater vitality.
Now: the heart of the Gospel today is both a true miracle, AND a living/breathing metaphor. This is a Gospel for each and every person on earth: I hope you will benefit from our reflection. Today, Jesus uses this metaphor of a boat on the open sea: the sea stands for our lives, which is sometimes calm and easy to navigate; at other times it is not. The rough waters stand for chaos, and whatever scares us, upsets, worries, distracts or paralyzes us. It could be financial insecurity, relationship problems, your health, an unexpected pregnancy, etc. Let’s all take a moment to identify a personal “rough water event” that resulted in fear of upset for you. [pause]
The Truth: Jesus setting sail for the other side of the Sea of Galilee opened Pandora’s Box: in leaving friendly land for a pagan land, Jesus and his disciples expected a rocky and unsympathetic reception. For example, not everyone agreed with Jesus, who asked that people should love Him first, and not their mom, dad, or kin. So, recall with me a few Gospel gems: when the Disciples say: “Teacher, do you not care we are perishing?”
1.Jesus NEVER verbally answers them, because he ALSO teaches by actions and not just words.
2.Jesus sounds disappointed that the Disciples doubted His love for them: He did and does and always will love us! In fact, it’s clear Jesus loves each of us, and does not want ANY of us to suffer. And more: calming the storms is part of Jesus’ job description; you could say that Jesus is THE storm calmer for ALL of us. Jesus also said in St. Matthew’s Gospel that He expects us to ask for whatever we need, whenever we need it. He said it: “ask and you shall receive.”
But I think in the 21st century, there are two challenges that are ALWAYS looming in the background:
- First, because our society and culture are based NOT on cooperation or interdependence with God and all others, but rather competition and individualism, I think that some people have not invested themselves fully in a faith relationship that trusts Jesus completely. Yes: some of us ARE like the apostles! And the individualist who says “I don’t need anyone else but me,” is missing the holy assistance that only Jesus can provide!
- The second challenge concerns the way SOME people think of, and act on, their relationship with Jesus. Some people think THEY are the captain of the ship, and that Jesus is their first mate, as if God sent Jesus to earth to do MY bidding, rather than OUR being servants of Jesus. For example, if you or someone you know has ever tried to bargain with Jesus to get something you really want, such as: “just let me win the lottery and I’ll go to Mass each week, OR “just let me get this new job, and I promise I’ll be kinder to my family and neighbors,” “such bargaining COMPLETELY misunderstands the relationship Jesus wants to have with all of us.
Perhaps one of the best remedies to heal a flawed or broken relationship with Jesus is to INVITE JESUS IN: i.e. into the middle of your NEXT storm, whatever it is, and whatever is causing it. Ask for the Holy Spirit’s help, and for the courage to surrender this ongoing wrestling match or tug-of-war with Jesus: humbly INVITE into your storm the Son of the God, who IS within you and who works wonders. Ask Jesus to pull you close, to embrace you, and to support you in the challenges of life; and ask in such a way that you know that with Jesus you have all you need. Let Jesus SHOW you how he can save you in this life, and preserve your life for all eternity. Today, may we gather around the Lord’s Eucharistic Table, wiser and more prepared to love Jesus more than ever.
