Daily Readings - Sun Jun 20 2021

¹But the Lord, responding to Job from a whirlwind, said²Who is this that wraps sentences in unskilled words³Gird your waist like a man. I will question you, and you must answer me⁴Where were you, when I set the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding⁸Who enclosed the sea with doors, when it broke forth as if issuing from the womb⁹when I stationed a cloud as its garment and wrapped it in a mist as if swaddling an infant¹⁰I encircled it with my limits, and I positioned its bars and doors¹¹And I said: "This far you will approach, and you will proceed no further, and here you will break your swelling waves.

2 Corinthians

Chapter 5

¹⁴For the charity of Christ urges us on, in consideration of this: that if one died for all, then all have died¹⁵And Christ died for all, so that even those who live might not now live for themselves, but for him who died for them and who rose again¹⁶And so, from now on, we know no one according to the flesh. And though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him in this way no longer¹⁷So if anyone is a new creature in Christ, what is old has passed away. Behold, all things have been made new

Mark

Chapter 4

³⁵And on that day, when evening had arrived, he said to them, "Let us cross over.³⁶And dismissing the crowd, they brought him, so that he was in one boat, and other boats were with him³⁷And a great wind storm occurred, and the waves broke over the boat, so that the boat was being filled³⁸And he was in the stern of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. And they woke him and said to him, "Teacher, does it not concern you that we are perishing?³⁹And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and he said to the sea: "Silence. Be stilled." And the wind ceased. And a great tranquility occurred⁴⁰And he said to them: "Why are you afraid? Do you still lack faith?"⁴¹And they were struck with a great fear. And they said to one another, "Who do you think this is, that both wind and sea obey him?"

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of trust, faith, and God's authority. The first reading from Job portrays God speaking from a whirlwind, asserting His control over creation by setting boundaries for the sea. This passage reminds us of God's wisdom and omnipotence, challenging us to humbly acknowledge His sovereignty, especially in times of uncertainty. The second reading from 2 Corinthians shifts our focus to living for Christ. Paul emphasizes that Christ's sacrifice transforms our lives, urging us to see ourselves as new creations. This teaching invites us to move beyond self-centered living and embrace a life dedicated to Him, reflecting the radical change His love brings. In the Gospel from Mark, Jesus calms a storm, demonstrating His divine authority. While the disciples feared the turmoil, Jesus's command to the wind and sea reveals His power. This miracle teaches us to trust in God's presence and control, even amidst life's tempests. These readings connect through the theme of trust in God's plan. Job's encounter, Paul's exhortation, and Jesus's miracle all guide us to place our faith in God. In daily life, this means facing challenges with confidence in His providence. The moral lesson is clear: trust in God's authority, for He is our refuge and strength, calming every storm we face.