COLLECT SERIES
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The Mass: Collect series Icon |
COLLECT
The Collect for the 12th
Sunday of Year B reads as follows:
Grant, O Lord,
that we may always revere and love your holy name,
for you never deprive of your guidance
those you set firm on the foundation of your love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the
Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
REFLECTION QUESTIONS
- What does it mean to me to revere and love God’s Holy name?
- How do I use/misuse God’s holy name?
- How does my use of God’s holy name align with the commandments?
- Reflect on how God has never deprived me of guidance in my life ( in my past week, past month, since beginning of the year). Celebrate and thank God in some way this week.
- What is the foundation of God’ love?
- How do I desire to grow spiritually and allow God to set me on His firm foundation of His love?
GOSPEL
REFLECTION
Mark
4:35-41 recounts the story of Jesus calming the storm, a passage rich with
theological and spiritual significance. From a Catholic perspective, this
passage offers several key reflections:
The narrative begins with Jesus inviting His
disciples to cross to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. As a fierce storm
arises, the disciples panic, fearing for their lives, while Jesus sleeps
peacefully in the stern. When the disciples wake Him, questioning if He cares
that they are perishing, Jesus responds by calming the storm with a command. He
then rebukes them for their lack of faith.
Jesus'
Divine Authority
The calming of the storm is a powerful
demonstration of Jesus' divine authority over nature. For Catholics, this act
is a clear affirmation of Jesus' divinity, reinforcing the belief in Jesus as
the Son of God who has power over creation. This miracle invites reflection on
the nature of Jesus, who is both fully human and fully divine, and His role as
the Lord of all creation.
The Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist
Jesus' presence with the disciples in the boat
can be seen as a metaphor for His presence in the Eucharist. Just as Jesus was
physically present with His disciples, offering peace and calm, He is present
in the Eucharist, providing spiritual nourishment and peace to believers. This
passage encourages Catholics to seek Jesus in the sacraments, especially the
Eucharist, as a source of strength and reassurance.
The disciples' journey across the sea with
Jesus can be viewed as a symbol of the journey of discipleship. Following Jesus
does not mean an absence of trials, but it does mean having Jesus with them
through all difficulties. This passage reassures Catholics that, although they
may face many challenges in life, Jesus is always with them, guiding and
protecting them.
The disciples’ plea to Jesus in their time of
need is a model of prayer. Despite their fear and doubt, they turn to Jesus for
help. This teaches Catholics the importance of turning to God in prayer during
times of distress. Jesus’ immediate response to their cry for help reassures
believers of God’s responsiveness and care.
Finally, this passage invites a reflection on
the nature of fear and faith. Fear is a natural human response to danger, but
faith calls believers to trust in God's greater plan and power. Jesus’
question, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” challenges Catholics to grow
in their faith, trusting that God is in control, even when circumstances seem
dire.
Mark 4:35-41 is a profound passage that speaks
to the heart of Catholic faith. It calls believers to deepen their trust in
Jesus, recognize His divine authority, seek His presence in the sacraments,
commit to the journey of discipleship, rely on the power of prayer, and reflect
on the balance of fear and faith. This story reassures Catholics that Jesus is
always with them, calming the storms of life and guiding them safely to the
other side.
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