Gospel for June 20 2021 – Mark 4:35-41
Gospel Reflections for June 20 2021
There will always be a storm…
The recent opening of our state and churches to full capacity is welcome news. The fishermen in today’s Gospel discover even greater news.
They had built their boats with their own hands and had great confidence in them. Yet while fishing in the sea an unexpected storm arrives.
We know a lot more about these ancient fishermen today. Archaeologists recently discovered a first century fishing boat from the time of Jesus. Analysis reveals that it was carefully built with skillful construction, and continuously repaired afterwards. That affirms it was a strong, sturdy, and valuable business asset for the owners.
The disciples confidently took Jesus into their well-built boat to cross the sea to the other side. But their confidence vanished as that sudden storm arrives, which could easily swamp their boat, and which seemed rather small at that moment! They are frightened and cower before the wind and waves. However, Jesus calmly stands up in the boat, boldly faces the wind and sea, and quiets the storm. They are amazed!
Jesus knew what He was doing when He chose fishermen as disciples. While they are rightfully proud of the boats they competently built with their own hands, they also respect the power of nature as well. They had things in the right perspective.
Jesus never leaves you alone in a storm. Jesus rides the same waves in the boat with you, but only He can bring you peace of mind no matter what is happening in your world.
What makes you confident facing any storm …is not the boat you might make …but having Jesus in it!
A storm never means Jesus is missing. It is precisely those challenging times that Jesus affirms He is standing with you, and closer than ever.
We are coming to the close of 15 months of Covid restrictions. You can be grateful for the amazing work of dedicated healthcare workers and the medical “craftsman” who built our vaccine programs. This Father’s Day weekend also reminds us of the great role that fathers have in families, to be a stable source of security and strength in challenging times.
We know there will be more storms coming, whether future pandemics, or brush fires, or economic issues, or political debates. All will be well in your own world if you always take Our Lord with you …and as the captain of your boat.
God Bless!
Fr. Dave
True that Father. We’re all in the same boat. We just have to let Jesus calm our minds.
Well said. The biggest storm is often within us.
Love your precious Homily!!! Our loving Jesus is always with us and He is the captain of our precious boat of life!!! Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee our precious Jesus and love you our Father Dave for you are just like our Jesus leading us beautifully in life and leading us to our Heaven of LOVE!!!! Have a beautiful day!!!! Our Jesus is a precious gift of love to us and you are tooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, Franca and Dick
Thank you!
We built out boats, our lives, done the best that we could, yet for some of us this boat, our lives, seem to be going down and fast.
Relationships on solid Faith foundation yet some of us just keeps on rocking this boat to make it sink, our Lord Jesus has come so many times to the rescue and we should not let anyone with little Faith try to sink our boats,
Lives, Thank you Father Dave.
Yes, keep the Lord always in your boat!
I like your words of comfort, Fr. Dave, that Jesus will be with us no matter
where we are, and He will see us through any storm that befalls us.
If He can calm the storms of the sea, He can calm the storms of life
as well!
This has always been true, and will always be true.
Thank you Father Dave! Always have the Lord in our boat!
Never go anywhere without Him!