Daily Catholic Mass Readings for June 23, 2024
First Reading: Job 38.1-4, 8-11
1Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,2Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?3Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.4Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.8Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?9When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,10And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,11And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
Psalm 107
1O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.2Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy;3And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.4They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way; they found no city to dwell in.5Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.6Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them out of their distresses.7And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.8Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!9For he satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.10Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;11Because they rebelled against the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High:12Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help.13Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses.14He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder.15Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!16For he hath broken the gates of brass, and cut the bars of iron in sunder.17Fools because of their transgression, and because of their iniquities, are afflicted.18Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death.19Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses.20He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.21Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!22And let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare his works with rejoicing.23They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;24These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.25For he commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.26They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble.27They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits' end.28Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he bringeth them out of their distresses.29He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.30Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.31Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!32Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.33He turneth rivers into a wilderness, and the watersprings into dry ground;34A fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwell therein.35He turneth the wilderness into a standing water, and dry ground into watersprings.36And there he maketh the hungry to dwell, that they may prepare a city for habitation;37And sow the fields, and plant vineyards, which may yield fruits of increase.38He blesseth them also, so that they are multiplied greatly; and suffereth not their cattle to decrease.39Again, they are minished and brought low through oppression, affliction, and sorrow.40He poureth contempt upon princes, and causeth them to wander in the wilderness, where there is no way.41Yet setteth he the poor on high from affliction, and maketh him families like a flock.42The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.43Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD.
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5.14-17
14For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.16Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.17Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Gospel: Mark 4.35-41
35And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.36And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.37And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.38And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?39And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.40And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?41And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of God's sovereignty, transformation, and faith. The first reading from Job depicts God speaking from a whirlwind, challenging Job's understanding of creation. God's questions about the foundations of the earth and the sea emphasize His divine wisdom and power, reminding us of the awe-inspiring nature of creation. This passage invites us to reflect on our place within the grandeur of God's universe.
The second reading from 2 Corinthians shifts our focus to the transformative power of Christ's love. Paul writes that Christ's death and resurrection have redefined our existence, urging us to live not for ourselves but for Him. This passage calls us to embrace our new identity in Christ, letting go of the old and embracing the new life He offers. It reminds us that our lives should be lived with purpose, directed by the love of Christ.
In the Gospel, Mark recounts the miracle of Jesus calming the storm. As the disciples face a turbulent sea, Jesus demonstrates His authority over nature, teaching them about faith and trust in God's presence. This story speaks to our own experiences of turmoil, reminding us that even in the midst of chaos, God is with us, offering peace and calm. It challenges us to deepen our faith and trust in His providence.
These readings together invite us to trust in God's power and presence, to embrace the transformation Christ brings, and to live with faith and purpose. May we, like the disciples, turn to Jesus in our storms, and may we, like Paul, live as new creations, guided by the love of Christ.