27 January 2024 | Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time | For some places -- Memorial of Sts Timothy and Titus

Reading :2 Sm 12:1-7a, 10-17

 Gospel Mk 4:35-41

On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples:

"Let us cross to the other side."

Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was.

And other boats were with him.

A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat,

so that it was already filling up.

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?"

He woke up,

rebuked the wind,

and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!"

The wind ceased and there was great calm.

Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified?

Do you not yet have faith?"

They were filled with great awe and said to one another,

"Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?"

Reflections: 

This passage recounts the story of Jesus calming the storm while He and His disciples were in a boat crossing the sea.

 It offers a personal reflection on trust, faith, and recognizing the power and authority of Jesus in the midst of life's storms: The disciples found themselves in a life-threatening storm, and fear and panic gripped their hearts. However, Jesus was present with them in the boat, even though He was sleeping. It is a reminder that even when we face storms and challenges in life, we can find solace and re-assurance in the fact that Jesus is with us. He is not indifferent to our struggles but desires for us to trust Him in the midst of uncertainty.

Activity: 

Remember that though you may encounter storms of various kinds – be it physical, emotional or spiritual trust that Jesus is with you to calm the storms of your life.

Readings for Memorial of St Timothy and St Titus

Lk 10:1-9

 1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two[a] others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Carry no moneybag, no knapsack, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him. But if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages. Do not go from house to house. 8 Whenever you enter a town and they receive you, eat what is set before you. 9 Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.