Dear brothers and sisters, We must know how to make sense out of the storms in our lives. Fr. Cielo

1. Welcome to our
Bible Study
12th
Sunday in the Ordinary Time B
21 June 2015
In preparation for this Sunday’s liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM

2. 1st
Reading: Job 38:1.8-11
 1 The LORD addressed Job out of the
storm and said: 8 And who shut within
doors the sea, when it burst forth from the
womb; 9 When I made the clouds its
garment and thick darkness its swaddling
bands? 10 When I set limits for it and
fastened the bar of its door, 11 And said:
Thus far shall you come but no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be
stilled!

3. 1st
Reading: Job 38:1.8-11
 1 The LORD addressed Job out of the
storm and said:
 8 And who shut within doors the sea,
when it burst forth from the womb;
9 When I made the clouds its garment and
thick darkness its swaddling bands?
10 When I set limits for it and fastened the
bar of its door,
 11 And said: Thus far shall you come but
no farther, and here shall your proud waves
be stilled!
The focus is on God’s power over nature.

4. 1st
Reading: Job 38:1.8-11
1 The LORD addressed Job
out of the storm and said:
 8 And who shut within doors
the sea,
 when it burst forth from
the womb;
 9 When I made the
clouds its garment and
thick darkness its
swaddling bands?
 10 When I set limits for
it and fastened the bar
of its door,
 11 And said: Thus far shall
you come but no farther,
and here shall your proud
waves be stilled!
Commentary
 God talks to Job, wherein he speaks of
his wisdom and power, which are
altogether beyond the capacity of Job,
who therefore should never dare to
demand a reason for the divine
actions. (NAB)
 In v.1 the expression “Out of the storm”
is frequently the background when God
appears. (Psalm 18; 50; Nahum 1:3; Hebrews
3).
 In vv.8-10, God poses a question to
Job: Who?
 The expected answer is none other
than God.
 Job must recognize his limitations.
V.11

5. Reflections on the 1st
reading
 When we suffer, we ask God a lot of questions.
 Why does he allow us to suffer?
 We complain, we demand reasons.
 It is legitimate to ask.
 But we may not always be able to accept the reasons,
because we don’t like suffering.
 We cannot fully understand the mystery of suffering or
God’s wisdom.
 Therefore, we should not waste time asking for
explanations.
 The story of Job asks us to TRUST HIM, if you know
what that means.
 We should spend the rest of our lives trusting in the
power and wisdom of the Lord, rather than sulking, nor
asking for an accounting from the Lord.

6. Responsorial Ps. 107:23-24. 25-26. 28-29. 30-31
 R. (1b) Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.
 23 They who sailed the sea in ships,
trading on the deep waters,
24 These saw the works of the LORD
and his wonders in the abyss.
 25 His command raised up a storm wind
which tossed its waves on high.
26 They mounted up to heaven; they sank to the depths;
their hearts melted away in their plight.
 28 They cried to the LORD in their distress;
from their straits he rescued them,
29 He hushed the storm to a gentle breeze,
and the billows of the sea were stilled.
 30 They rejoiced that they were calmed,
and he brought them to their desired haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the LORD for his kindness
and his wondrous deeds to the children of men.

7. Responsorial Ps. 107:23-24. 25-26. 28-29. 30-31
 R. (1b) Give thanks to the Lord, his
love is everlasting.
 23 They who sailed the sea in ships,
trading on the deep waters,
24 These saw the works of the LORD
and his wonders in the abyss.
 25 His command raised up a storm
wind
which tossed its waves on high.
26 They mounted up to heaven; they
sank to the depths;
their hearts melted away in their
plight.
 28 They cried to the LORD in their
distress;
from their straits he rescued them,
29 He hushed the storm to a gentle
breeze,
and the billows of the sea were
stilled.
 30 They rejoiced that they were
calmed,
and he brought them to their desired
haven.
31 Let them give thanks to the LORD
for his kindness
and his wondrous deeds to the
children of men.
Commentary
 The responsorial psalm articulates in
poetic form the power of God as it is
witnessed by the sailors.
 v.v.23-24 talk about sailors who
witness the works and wonders of
God in the high seas.
 Vv.25-26 attribute to the power of
God the storm wind and high waves,
which terrify the sailors.
 Vv.28-29 describe the natural reaction
of the sailors in distress. In their
helplessness, they cry out to the Lord.
 Vv.30-31 describe the joy of the
sailors, when God comes to their
rescue. They give thanks to God.

8. Reflections on the resp. psalm
 God shows his power through natural forces.
 He is in control of them.
 We humans must recognize God’s power in
the vast oceans and vast spaces.
 We are helpless in the midst of life-threatening
situations.
 No one can spare, but God.
 When we are battered by a storm, let us cry
out to the Lord.

9. 2nd
reading: 2 Cor 5:14-17
 14 The love of Christ impels us, once we have
come to the conviction that one died for all;
therefore, all have died. 15 He indeed died for all,
so that those who live might no longer live for
themselves but for him who for their sake died and
was raised. 16 Consequently, from now on we
regard no one according to the flesh; even if we
once knew Christ according to the flesh, yet now
we know him so no longer. 17 So whoever is in
Christ is a new creation: the old things have
passed away; behold, new things have come.

10. 2nd
reading: 2 Cor 5:14-17
 14 The love of Christ impels us, once we have
come to the conviction that one died for all;
therefore, all have died. 15 He indeed died for all,
so that those who live might no longer live for
themselves but for him who for their sake died and
was raised. 16 Consequently, from now on we
regard no one according to the flesh; even if we
once knew Christ according to the flesh, yet now
we know him so no longer. 17 So whoever is in
Christ is a new creation: the old things have
passed away; behold, new things have come.
The focus is the meaning of Christ’s death.

11. 2nd
reading: 2 Cor 5:14-17
 14 The love of Christ impels
us, once we have come to
the conviction that one died
for all; therefore, all have
died. 15 He indeed died for
all, so that those who live
might no longer live for
themselves but for him who
for their sake died and was
raised. 16 Consequently,
from now on we regard no
one according to the flesh;
even if we once knew Christ
according to the flesh, yet
now we know him so no
longer. 17 So whoever is in
Christ is a new creation: the
old things have passed away;
behold, new things have
come.
Commentary:
 Paul reflects on the meaning of
Christ’s death:
 He died for all (vv.14-15).
 The purpose of his dying:
 that those who benefited from his
death will live for him, not for
themselves.
 In v.16, Paul states the implication
of Christ’s death for us.
 We put on a different optic, a
different way of looking at people.
 When we live for Christ, we no
longer regard him as flesh, (v.16)
but a new creation, bringing new
things (v.17).

12. Reflections on the 2nd
reading
 Like St. Paul, we Christians must draw meaning out
of Christ’s death.
 We no longer live for ourselves, but for Him.
 We move from being self-centered to Christ-
centered.
 With Christ’s death, we take on a different way of
looking at others.
 We don’t see our fellow humans according to our
human perspective (fleshly standards).
 We put on a different optic, that of Christ.
 In this way, we become a new creation.
 We see new things coming our way.

13. Gospel: Mark 4:35-41
 35 On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them,
"Let us cross to the other side." 36 Leaving the
crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he
was. And other boats were with him. 37 A violent
squall came up and waves were breaking over the
boat, so that it was already filling up. 38 Jesus was
in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him
and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we
are perishing?" 39 He woke up, rebuked the wind,
and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind
ceased and there was great calm. 40 Then he
asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet
have faith?" 41 They were filled with great awe and
said to one another, "Who then is this whom even
wind and sea obey?"

14. Gospel: Mark 4:35-41
 35 On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them,
"Let us cross to the other side." 36 Leaving the
crowd, they took him with them in the boat just as he
was. And other boats were with him. 37 A violent
squall came up and waves were breaking over the
boat, so that it was already filling up. 38 Jesus was
in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him
and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we
are perishing?" 39 He woke up, rebuked the wind,
and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind
ceased and there was great calm. 40 Then he
asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet
have faith?" 41 They were filled with great awe and
said to one another, "Who then is this whom even
wind and sea obey?"
The focus is on Jesus’ power over the storm.

15. Gospel: Mark 4:35-41
Context
 35 On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, "Let us
cross to the other side." 36 Leaving the crowd, they took him with
them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him.
Squall
 37 A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the
boat, so that it was already filling up.
Jesus asleep
 38 Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him
and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
Jesus awake
 39 He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be
still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm.
 40 Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet
have faith?"
Awe and wonder
 41 They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who
then is this whom even wind and sea obey?"
A simple outline!

16. Gospel: Mark 4:35-41
Setting
 35 On that day, as evening drew on, he said to them, "Let us cross to
the other side." 36 Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the
boat just as he was. And other boats were with him.
Storm
 37 A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat,
so that it was already filling up.
Confident Jesus / worried disciples
 38 Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and
said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?"
Powerful Jesus rebukes the wind and sea
 39 He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be
still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm.
Jesus rebukes the disciples
 40 Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have
faith?"
Awe and questioning
 41 They were filled with great awe and said to one another, "Who
then is this whom even wind and sea obey?"
A simple outline!

17. Gospel: Mark 4,35-41
Setting
 35 On that day, as evening drew on, he said to
them, "Let us cross to the other side." 36
Leaving the crowd, they took him with them in
the boat just as he was. And other boats were
with him.
Storm
 37 A violent squall came up and waves were
breaking over the boat, so that it was already
filling up.
Confident Jesus / worried disciples
 38 Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.
They woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do
you not care that we are perishing?"
Powerful Jesus rebukes the wind and sea
 39 He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to
the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and
there was great calm.
Jesus rebukes the disciples
 40 Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified?
Do you not yet have faith?"
Awe and questioning
 41 They were filled with great awe and said to
one another, "Who then is this whom even wind
and sea obey?"
Commentary:
 It is necessary for us to
notice the movements
of the story.
Movements (changes)
 1. Let us cross…(v.35)
 2. Jesus’ sleeping, then
waking (vv.38 and 39)
 3. Storm (v.37), then
calm (v.39)
 4. Perishing (v.38),
terrified (v.40) and no
faith (v.40), then awe
and faith (v.41)

18. Reflections on the gospel reading
 When we journey with Jesus, we must be
prepared to face troubles.
 The roads may not be smooth all the time.
 Jesus demands faith from us.
 Faith overcomes worry and unnecessary
anxiety.
 In the reading, Jesus demonstrates his
power over the storm (life-threatening force of
nature).
 Jesus can show it again to us, if there is a
need.

19. Tying the 3 readings and the Psalm
 In the first reading, God speaks from the storm.
God wants Job to realize that God is powerful and
wise.
 The second reading talks about the meaning of
Christ’s death (after a storm).
 In the gospel, the storm provokes strong attention
to Jesus.
 The psalm articulates well in the form of praise and
thanksgiving the experience of a person who
survives a storm.

20. How to develop your homily / sharing
 Tell something about a storm in your life.
(sudden death of a loved one, bankruptcy, lingering
illness, etc.)
 Storms lead us, like Job, to a crisis of faith.
 We ask God what he is doing. We doubt if he
is really powerful.
 In the first reading, God answers our
questionings with a counter question.
Who made the storm? Who can stop it?
 The intelligent reader must make a proper
answer and conclusion:
God. So… trust him.

21.  The second reading tells of the storm (death)
which Christ undergoes.
 In faith, we must find meaning in Christ’s death.
 It makes us other-centered, Christ-centered, not
self-centered, according to Paul, because Christ
died for us.
 Thinking not of oneself and thinking for the good
of the other are good signs that we have
captured the true meaning of Christ’s death.
 Now we can also make sense out of our storms
(sufferings and deaths), big and small.

22.  In the gospel, Jesus and the apostles are not
spared of storms.
 If you are with Jesus, it does not mean, you
are worry free.
 Important in the gospel is the recognition of
Jesus as savior.
 In times of danger, we must approach Jesus
even if we have little or no faith.
 He will do something for us.
 But Jesus prefers that a faith that is big.

23.  We need a deep spirituality (faith) to fight
and to survive natural and human-made
calamities and catastrophes.
 Storms are here to stay.
 As we try to cope with storms, let us not
create storms for others. Let us not be the
cause of their sufferings (irresponsible
statements, judgments, carelessness,
withholding necessary information, not sharing
resources, usury, indebtedness, asking people to
buy something from us which they don’t need,
making life difficult for others, bad deals, bad
decisions, etc).

24.  When there is a disaster, we must be
ready to help or appeal for help for the
victims.
 The faithful can be like Christ who is there
to calm the storm and send relief to victims
or survivors.
 Victims or not, we have to realize that we
have someone to cling to: Jesus Christ.

25.  The psalm helps us to articulate the joy of
having survived the vicissitudes of nature
and the cruel world.
 This prayer helps us to anticipate God’s
intervention in our trying moments.
 The psalm balances our afflictions with the
hope of full recovery.

26.  In the eucharist, Jesus comes to allay our
fears and insecurities.
 If we believe in his presence in the
eucharist, we must have hope, an
assurance that things will get better (of course,
with our cooperation).
 In the eucharist, we express our willingness
to share in the sufferings of Jesus and of
humanity, that are caused by injustices.

27. Our Context
 Theological crisis
 Economic, political
crisis
 Midlife crisis
 Paranoia
 Hurricanes
 Earthquakes
 Tsunamis
 Virus A (H1N1)
 Egocentric
 Ego trips
 Devastations
 Faith
 Trust in God
 Altruism
 Christocentrism
 Courage

28. Suggested songs
Biyayang Mula sa ‘yo (offertory)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxbmC_LVJrQ
Be not afraid (communion)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBH-Eh9Bjjg
Problems (just for reflection)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h9VZdkKrTdI