Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B. Reflection by Rev Fr Oselumhense Anetor (Uromi Diocese)
Job 38:1, 8-11; 2 Cor. 5:14-17; Mark 4:35-41

Have you ever wondered why God lets us go through trials and tribulations? Perhaps you’ve been asking God some tough questions as a result of your peculiar challenges? Todays readings teach us about faith, trust, and finding peace amid life’s storms. The first reading from the Book of Job reminds us of Job’s immense suffering and unwavering faith. In God’s response to Job, what’s clear is that He controls all our circumstances, which is why we must trust in His wisdom and providence during our toughest times.

Friends, when Jesus calms the storm in today’s Gospel reading, he demonstrates His power, thereby strengthening the faith of his disciples. This story encourages us too to trust in Jesus, even in chaos, and find peace in His presence. In the same vein, the second reading highlights the transformative power of Christ’s love, making us new creations and calling us to a life of faith and reconciliation. As we continue to experience poverty, corruption, insecurity, and political instability in Nigeria, we are called to maintain faith, trusting in God’s guidance through our storms. May we find strength, courage, and peace in His presence, living out our faith with steadfast conviction and trust in God’s providence, Amen.

Good morning dear. Happy Sunday!

READINGS

FIRST READING
Here I have prescribed bounds for the sea.
A reading from the Book of Job (Job 38:1, 8-11)

The lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: “Who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth from the womb; when I made clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band; and prescribed bounds for it, and set bars and doors, and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?”

The word of the Lord.

RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps l07:23-24.25-26.28-29.30-3 I (R. 1)
R/. O give thanks to the Lord for he is good;
for his mercy endures forever!
Or: Alleluia.

Some went down to the sea in ships,
to trade on the mighty waters.
These have seen the deeds of the Lord;
the wonders he does in the deep. R/.

For he spoke and raised up the storm-wind,
tossing high the waves of the sea
that surged to heaven and dropped to the depths.
Their souls melted away in their distress. R/.

Then they cried to the Lord in their need,
and he rescued them from their distress.
He stilled the storm to a whisper,
and the waves of the sea were hushed. R/.

They rejoiced because of the calm,
and he led them to the haven they desired.
Let them thank the LORD for his mercy,
his wonders for the children of men. R/.

SECOND READING
“Behold, the new has come.”
A reading from the second Letter of Saint Paul to the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 5:14- 17)

Brethren: The love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for them- selves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh; even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.

The word of the Lord.

ALLELUIA Luke 7:16
Alleluia. A great prophet has arisen among us, and God has visited his pe6ple. Alleluia.

GOSPEL
“Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (Mark 4:35-41)

On that day, when evening had come, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side.”. And leaving the crowd, they took him with them, just as he was, in the boat. And other boats were with him. And a great storm of wind arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on the. Cushion; and they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care if we perish?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you no faith?” And they were filled with awe, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even wind and sea obey him?”

The Gospel of the Lord.