READ Mk 4:35-41 On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, “Let us cross to the other side." Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF THE GOSPEL
UNDERSTAND | By Father Greg Friedman, OFM Have you ever been seasick? Listening to today’s first reading and Gospel might recall some unpleasant experiences on board a ship, especially in a bad storm. In the first reading, Job isn’t at sea, except in his emotional state. But God is addressing this ancient holy man out of the midst of a fierce storm. God asks Job to think about the power of the sea and its waves. That power, God says, is kept in check by God’s greater power! Switch to the Gospel—here the disciples and Jesus are sailing in a bad storm, and the boat is in some danger. When the disciples wake him with the warning that they’re in danger of sinking, the power of God described in the first reading is brought to bear, as Christ calms the wind and the waves. Now I’ve never been in a really bad storm at sea. Nor have I been seasick, although I’ve been with a friend who was pretty miserable on a relatively calm sail across Lake Erie. But I have been tossed about by emotional winds and waves in my life. And—like the disciples—I’ve wondered if Jesus cared that I was sinking. So this Sunday, I’ll be taking the Gospel to heart, and I hope you will too! CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE AUDIO.
DISCUSS | By Father Dan Kroger, OFM Who is speaking to Job in this week's first reading (Job 38:1, 8—11)? Job is told to calm down and still his pride. What is Job told to realize? According to the second reading (2Cor 5:14-17), who died for all? About whom is Paul writing? Who is now a new creation? In the Gospel (Mk 3:35-41), what happened to Jesus and the apostles while they were sailing across the lake? Why did the apostles awaken Jesus? What did Jesus ask the disciples after he calmed the storm?
ACT Place a toy boat or some other object that will float in a container of water. Use your hand to make waves in the water as a visual example of what the disciples experienced. Imagine how you would feel if you were in that boat. Listen to the sounds that you would hear from today's Gospel. You can find many videos of thunderstorms and calm waves online.