23rd June 2024; 12 Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Readings: Job 38:1,8-11; 2 Cor. 5:14-17; Mk 4:35-41. 

The Beautiful Sleep of Jesus

Today, as we delve into the gospel, we find Jesus and his disciples on the Lake of Galilee, facing a violent storm. Just as they were, we too are often gripped by fear in the face of life’s storms. Jesus, in his reassuring presence, asks us, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” (Mk. 4:41). The storm-tossed boat is not just an image of the Church’s universal sailing through the ages, but also a reflection of our journey. Jesus, always present with the Church, is deeply concerned for our well-being even when his care is not immediately perceived.

 

In the first reading, Job experiences the storm of his life. Job questioned God about his affliction. God did not give him any justification for his pains and suffering. Instead, God invited Job to believe that suffering was within the mysterious design of his universe; he “laid the foundation of the earth” (Job 38:4). Within God’s design for the world there is a place for losses, setbacks, storms, brokenness, pains, disappointments, and disasters. It was in God’s hands to set limits to the seas, to say, “Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stopped.” (Job 38:11). God has control over nature, and everything he has created, as Jesus possesses the divine power over the forces of nature.

 

Today, we find ourselves amid a tempest, politically and emotionally. We are not just experiencing storms, but violent storms and gun storms, election storms and medical storms, moral storms, spiritual storms, education storms, and sickness and death storms. We are not just facing a humanitarian storm and an immigration storm, but we are inundated, shaken, sharpened, and shaped by these unimaginable storms. Through it all, Jesus seems unperturbed, sleeping peacefully. Why should he be sleeping while we are in the midst of such a perilous storm?

 

A storm rocked the world of John Newton, the captain of a slave boat, and brought about his conversion. He prayed like the disciples in today’s gospel. “God, if you will only save us, I promise to be your slave forever.” Jesus heard his prayer and saved his ship from destruction. From that storm came conversion, a change of heart, and a new song. “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me! I once was lost, but now am found, was blind, but now I see. I have already come through many dangers, toils, and snare; Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.” The psalmist tells us what to do when confronted by a storm: “In their trouble, they called to the Lord, and he saved them. He calmed the raging storm, and the waves became quiet.” (Ps. 107: 6, 29).

Regardless of the intensity of your storm, remember that you are not alone. We will never avoid all the storms that threaten us. But as Napoleon Hill wisely said, “The strongest oak of the forest is not the one that is protected from the storm and hidden from the sun. It’s the one that stands in the open where it is compelled to struggle for its existence against the winds and the rains and the scorching sun.” Just like David, who was once in a political and moral tsunami, we can find a way out of our storms through our unwavering faith in God. A strong prayer life and unshakeable faith in God will always guide us out of the storm of life. And so, “Be still and know that I am God!” (Ps.46:11). “Because when the just cry out, the Lord hears and rescues them from all distress.” (Ps. 34:18).

 

The storms in our lives should make us strong rather than put us down. It is all in the way we handle them. In the life journey, the question is not “Will storms arise? Rather, “When will the next storm arise?” And even more important than that question is, “What type of person will I be when the next storm arises?” During Christ’s time, the Lake of Galilee was notorious for its storms. And despite its destructive effects, Christ never attempted to abolish them but just stopped them momentarily. In our storm, we must hold on to Jesus. Though he may seem to be sleeping, he is still mighty. If you have faith, you will see that though Christ may be asleep, he is active and always at work for your good. Because “All things work for good for those who love God.” (Rom. 8:28). The storm of life may seem to overpower us, and we may think we are alone in our struggle, but Christ is there seemingly sleeping. In that sleep, there is power. As soon as he is up, the squall will calm down, and there will be peace. But he will question you, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP

June 16, 2024, 11th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Readings: Ex. 17:22-24; 2 Cor. 5:6-10; Mk 4:26-34. 

We walk by Faith, not by Sight

1.     In today’s gospel, Jesus tells some parables concerning the kingdom of God. He compares the kingdom’s growth to seeds planted in the fields. Parables are short stories from everyday life that offer a surprising turn or reversal of expectations. A parable is defined as an earthly teaching with a heavenly meaning. The unusual twist in the story provokes reflection, inviting one to make decisions about how one might live in light of the truth hidden in the parable. We are told, “With many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to understand it. Without parables he did not speak to them.” (Mk. 4:33-34). These parables invite us to grasp that God’s kingdom germinates, grows, and matures without enhancement from visible external causes.

 

2.     Like a farmer who plants his seeds on a cultivated farm, we must be patient for the seeds to grow to maturity. We may not see the growth of the seed, but God will always give us a bountiful harvest. Because embedded in every seed is an imprint of the creator and, therefore, carries the future of a generation. Every egg carries the future offspring of its kind. A mango seed carries thousands of mango fruits to feed thousands and more. In the same way, every baby born today is a future father or mother; as the saying goes, a child is the father of a man. Therefore, we must raise our children with patience, care, and love so that they may become the people we will be proud of tomorrow. These stories invite us to believe in a hidden mystery at work in the universe.

  

3.      The parable did not tell us much about the time between seeding and harvesting. However, growth is taking place all the while, the harvest time – the consummation of God’s reign – must be near. As St. Paul tells us in the second reading, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each may receive recompense, according to what he did in the body, whether good or evil.” (2 Cor. 5:10). The seed of the kingdom was planted in our hearts on the day of Baptism. It was nurtured with the bread of life – the Body of Christ. We are to constantly water that seed with God’s word and good deeds while we wait patiently on God. Because we received the Word of God and enjoyed a life of grace, we must spread the word and bring others to God. Conversion is the work of the Holy Spirit, but we must do our part as missionary disciples, to preach the good news of salvation to everyone. Do not be disappointed that the fruit of your mission may not be immediately realized. Be patient, courageous, and hopeful! If things in your life do not go as planned, do not give up hope. Better days are around the corner. For “We walk by faith and not by sight.” God is with us we plan and he will give success to the work of our hands. Let us pray with the psalmist: “Lord, it is good to give thanks to you.”

 

4.     The readings remind me of the story of the Chinese Bamboo by Joel Weldon. According to Weldon, the strangest seed in the world is the seed of the Chinese bamboo tree. It lies buried in the soil for five years before any seedling or sprout appears above ground. Think about it! Five years! During these five years, the seed must be cultivated, watered, and fertilized regularly. Now comes the big surprise. When the bamboo seedling finally emerges from the ground, it grows to a height of 90 feet in just six weeks. Why does the seedling take so long to appear? Why does it grow so fast once it emerges? Plant experts say that the bamboo seed is busy building an elaborate root system during its first five years in the soil. This root system enables it to grow 90 feet in six weeks. This story teaches us lessons about patience, faith, perseverance, growth, development, and, most importantly, human potential. J.K. Rowling, Jeff Bezos, and Henry Ford did not become mega-successful entrepreneurs until their 40s. In his book, Built to Last: Successful Habits of Visionary Companies, Jim C. Collins writes, “The only truly reliable source of stability is a strong inner core and the willingness to change and adapt everything except that core.” Have faith in your dream. You might make mistakes, get frustrated, feel discouraged, and want to quit along the way, but remember what’s driving you. Believing in yourself helps others believe in you too. The seed of God’s kingdom is like the seed of the bamboo tree. It, too, takes a long time to emerge. The seed of God’s kingdom is building an elaborate root system inside us. And eventually, from this root system, something beautiful will grow.

 

5.     There are a few lessons for us today. Do not be afraid to plant your seeds, whatever they may be. Dream big dreams and work towards the actualization of those dreams. Be patient and wait. Be realistic about your dreams. Don’t ever give up, and do not quit. Do the daily things that will push you towards your dreams. Ignore those who try to discourage you and tell you that you will not succeed. Avoid such people; they are a hindrance to your success. Learn to conquer your fears and doubts. Have faith in yourself and have faith in God. Be willing to be a trailblazer and teach others to do the impossible. Keep at your dreams no matter how long they may take. Do not compare yourself to others; don’t be intimidated by your past mistakes and failures. You are a work in progress. God is not done with you yet. Be thankful for the blessings received and be hopeful for better days. Always believe that your tomorrow will be better than yesterday or today. Be Blessed!

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP. 

June 09, 2024; 10th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)

Gen. 3:9-15,2; 2 Cor. 4:13-5:1; Mk. 3:20-35. 

How much power do we give to the Devil?

1.    "Draw your strength from the Lord and from his mighty power. Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the Devil. For our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.” (Eph. 6:10-12). Do you believe that the Devil exists? Do you attribute some of your behaviors to the Devil? No one can make you do anything you don't want to do. You do what you do because of the apparent good you see in doing them. When you get caught, you do not take the blame and be responsible for your actions.  But find an easy target. The Devil made you do it. That is the story of the Fall of Adam and Eve in today's first reading. When the Lord asked Adam, “You have eaten, then, from the tree of which I had forbidden you to eat!" He replied, “The woman who you put here with me – she gave me fruit from the tree, and so I ate it.” The Lord God said to the woman, “Why did you do such a thing.? The woman answered, “The serpent tricked me into it, so I ate it.” We do not take responsibility for our actions but blame everyone but ourselves for the mess we have created.

2.     Today's Gospel confronts Jesus with three scenarios: Jesus was accused of being in league with the Devil: “Beelzebul possesses him,” and “By the prince of demons he drives out demons.”  Jesus rejects the charge that he casts out demons by the power of the prince of demons. Jesus pointed out that if Satan had risen against himself and was divided, he could not stand. With that, Jesus proves that his work is against the powers of the Devil. He came into the world to overthrow the kingdom of the Devil. How could he possibly be working with the Devil?

3.     Unfortunately, we often engage in activities demonstrating that we belong to the kingdom of darkness. Jesus told the Jews, “You belong to your father, the Devil, and you willingly carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning and does not stand in truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks in character because he is a liar and the father of lies.” (Jn. 8:44-45). When we lie, cheat, are deceitful, look down on people, and are condescending, we do not behave as sons and daughters of God, who created us in his image and likeness. When we make people feel bad and put them down as if we are better than them, we are clearly in league with the Devil. And so, we must take a stand. Are we for God or the Devil? Christ is the father of light. He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light life.” (Jn. 8:12). In John 3:21, Jesus said, “Whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.” What, then, should we do? Micah has the answer: “You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8).

4.     The second issue Christ dealt with is the unforgivable sin against the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us in the parable of the lost sheep, “It is not the will of your heavenly father that one of these little ones be lost.” (Mt. 18:14). “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save what was lost.” (Lk. 19:10). Throughout the scriptures God’s Spirit is presented as that divine power at work in created reality bringing about salvation. God’s Spirit is his saving power, reconciling man to God. Therefore, the sin against the Holy Spirit is to deny that the Spirit is at work and that God intends to save, thereby placing humanity outside of the pale of salvation. God is always willing to forgive us our sins. But we must trust in his mercy and love. When we doubt God’s mercy and refuse to repent, we sin against the Holy Spirit.

5.     Finally, Jesus is told that his mother and brothers seek him outside. “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking around at those seated in the circle, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” Jesus was not rude to his mother by his answer but stressed that his real family are those who do the will of God. The true disciples of Jesus must go beyond blood relationships. In Jesus, the water of baptism is stronger than the blood relationship. No, Christ did not reject his earthly relatives. Instead, he forcefully asserts a more profound bond among the common acceptance of Father’s creation and saving will. Any other bond of unity is secondary to this. Once we recognize God’s power radically at work in the world, we are more radically related to that world and all who are in it. Blood relationships cannot transcend physical nature. Accepting God’s reign makes it possible to transcend all nature.

6.     We pray that we may accept our faults and repent, for God is full of mercy and redemption. Amen.

Rev. Augustine Etemma Inwang, MSP