Daily Readings - Sun Jun 20 2021
Job
1Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:2"Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?3Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.4"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand.8"Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb,9when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness,10when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place,11when I said, 'This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt'?
2 Corinthians
14For Christ's love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.15And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Mark
35That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side."36Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.37A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.38Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"39He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.40He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"41They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves 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.