WHY ARE YOU FRIGHTENED WHEN YOU ARE WITH JESUS?

TWELTH SUNDAY OF THE YEAR (B) IN ORDINARY TIME

WHY ARE YOU FRIGHTENED WHEN YOU ARE WITH JESUS?

First Reading: Job 38:1.8-11; Second Reading 2Cor. 5:14-17; Gospel Mark 4:35-41.

“Just to know that Christ is with us amid all the turbulence of life is a great cause for celebration and thanksgiving. With Christ, the turbulence can become the birth pangs of new creation,”

In the first reading, God answers Job in a rhetorical manner. He provided answers which quenched Job’s curiosity, cravings and seeming lack of faith. God questions Job like a public prosecutor questioning a witness in the dock. These questions contain observable data in the universe. One instance is the shutting up of the sea behind closed doors (Job 38:8). At this point, Job accepts not to doubt or question further (Job 38:11), rather, that he cannot explain everything that happens on earth but believes that God is good and worthy to be trusted.

In the gospel, the apostles showed their lack of true knowledge of Jesus with whom they have been most of the times. It was Jesus who invited them to go with him “across the other side” (Mark 4:35). This could be a very important moment in the lives of the apostles and our Christian faith. A moment of “test of faith.” Not long they have entered the boat as the short journey began, the wind (life turbulence, test of Christian faith) knowing that Jesus was with them, began to blow. Jesus fell asleep (allowed them to exercise their Christian faith to the fullest), but they were found wanting.  They lost their faith in a moment when their faith would have come into full practice (praxis fidei). That is why Jesus called them (and to us too who loose our faith in the face of trial) “men of little faith”, rather, “men of no faith.” Jesus asked them: why are you so frightened? This same question is applicable to us today. Why are we so frightened that we easily and quickly forget Jesus in our troubles and afflictions? Why are we so frightened that we easily forget that we are with the “author” and “finisher” of our faith?

 Jesus speaks to us today through St. Peter: “Unload all your worries on him since he takes care of you” (1Pet. 5:7).

The Psalmist says: “But when I am afraid, O Mighty One, I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3). Let us trust in Jesus with our whole being, who, even the wind and sea obey. When we are overpowered by fear, we fall back to our old life of weakness and sin; we lose our companionship with Jesus who told us not to be afraid.

St. Paul in the second reading reminds us that the love of Christ overwhelms us and makes us new creatures. Hence, when we are frightened, we lose this relationship with him. Let us not allow the turbulence of this life frighten us because, Jesus is our dear friend and brother. He is the Lord of the storm and turbulence. It is he who gives them command and they stand still. 

Dear friends, the only fear we should express is the fear of sin which cuts us off from the love of and closeness with God. It severs our relationship with God. But with faith and trust in Jesus we shall do bravely. May God give us the grace today, to keep walking with Jesus in faith and love.

Do have a blessed Sunday.

Rev. Callistus Chukwuemeka Nwokonkwo, SMMM.