June 21, 2015: Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time
Catholic Social Teaching: Solidarity
“This principle, drawn from the Gospel, reminds us that Christ has made all things one in himself: heaven and earth, God and man, time and eternity, flesh and spirit, person and society. The sign of this unity and reconciliation of all things in him is peace. Christ “is our peace” (Eph 2:14). The Gospel message always begins with a greeting of peace, and peace at all times crowns and confirms the relations between the disciples. Peace is possible because the Lord has overcome the world and its constant conflict “by making peace through the blood of his cross” (Col 1:20). But if we look more closely at these biblical texts, we find that the locus of this reconciliation of differences is within ourselves, in our own lives, ever threatened as they are by fragmentation and breakdown. If hearts are shattered in thousands of pieces, it is not easy to create authentic peace in society.” (229) The Joy of the Gospel, Pope Francis
Readings
First Reading: Job 38:1, 8-11
Psalm: 107:23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 30-31
Second Reading: 2nd Corinthians 5:14-17
Gospel: Mark 4:35-41
Catechism of the Catholic Church
Jesus asks for childlike abandonment to the providence of our heavenly Father who takes care of his children’s smallest needs: “Therefore do not be anxious, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?”. . . Your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well.” (305)
From the Daily Roman Missal, Introduction to the Twelfth Sunday of Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:
Job Chapters 38-41
The Old Testament presents God as the omnipotent Creator (cf. Gen 2:2; Job 38-41; Ps104; Ps 147) who fashions man in his image and invites him to work the soil (cf. Gen 2:5-6),and cultivate and care for the garden of Eden in which he has placed him (cf. Gen 2:15). To the first human couple God entrusts the task of subduing the earth and exercising dominion over every living creature (cf. Gen 1:28). The dominion exercised by man over other living creatures, however, is not to be despotic or reckless; on the contrary he is to “cultivate and care for” (Gen 2:15) the goods created by God. These goods were not created by man, but have been received by him as a precious gift that the Creator has placed under his responsibility. Cultivating the earth means not abandoning it to itself; exercising dominion over it means taking care of it, as a wise king cares for his people and a shepherd his sheep.
In the Creator’s plan, created realities, which are good in themselves, exist for man’s use. The wonder of the mystery of man’s grandeur makes the psalmist exclaim: “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him little less than god, and crown him with glory and honour. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet” (Ps 8:5-7). (255)
2nd Corinthians 5:17
The entrance of Jesus Christ into the history of the world reaches its culmination in the Paschal Mystery, where nature itself takes part in the drama of the rejection of the Son of God and in the victory of his Resurrection (cf. Mt 27:45,51, 28:2). Crossing through death and grafting onto it the new splendour of the Resurrection, Jesus inaugurates a new world in which everything is subjected to him (cf. 1 Cor 15:20-28) and he creates anew those relationships of order and harmony that sin had destroyed. Knowledge of the imbalances existing between man and nature should be accompanied by an awareness that in Jesus the reconciliation of man and the world with God — such that every human being, aware of divine love, can find anew the peace that was lost — has been brought about. “Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come” (2 Cor 5:17). Nature, which was created in the Word is, by the same Word made flesh, reconciled to God and given new peace (cf. Col 1:15-20). (454)
For complete text visit: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_councils/justpeace/documents/rc_pc_justpeace_doc_20060526_compendio-dott-soc_en.html
Reflection
“Who is it that obscures divine plans with words of ignorance?” (Job 38:2) The last chapters of Job articulate God’s majestic birth and continual manifestation of creation. Actions that should bedazzle our perspective, render our sights to awe, our voices to praise. But do we try to position ourselves on the bow of the ship of life obsessed with navigating obstacles, scanning the horizon for lands of false promise, being vulnerable to rogue waves of unfulfilling desires? Being on the bow of the boat is the farthest place removed from the rudder, in the stern of the boat where Jesus was. Joining Jesus in the stern of the boat, we assume a place where we care more about where the boat heads, a steady course, instead of huddling on the bow looking for a distant promise in chasing the horizon. Observing the Lord’s demeanor to calm the violent squalls attempting to sink the boat, the love of Christ impels us to live no longer for ourselves since we see the pointlessness of sailing a boat without being attuned to the source of direction. With these faith dynamics, we are a new creation. For when we are in Christ , we are a new creation in the unfolding of creation, as we step back from pursuing prophecies of the world to answer Jesus resolutely that we now have faith. The status of “not yet” has passed, like the storms of life have passed, and we are filled with great awe. Refreshed by the gentle breezes of the Lord’s kindness, we pause to give thanks for His love is everlasting. We have seen it sailing on the journey of life.
Only when calmed through the Lord’s providence, we DO NOT have to bail out of the boat of life, hop in a dingy and flounder in traversing the vast expanse of life. But staying on board, sailing as the Body of Christ, we help trim the sails to catch the breeze of peace and hope, offer encouragement to people just along for the ride to be cooperative deck hands, active participants. A boat can be sailed solo by multi-tasking, letting communication cease. But sailing with a crew, with Jesus as the captain, everyone integrates their gifts and expertise collaboratively ensuring a journey seeking the common good with comradery to eventually dock at the eternal port.
Individual Reflection: Mark 4:35-41
Review the resources from the USCCB for We Are Salt and Light and help integrate the material into your parish’s liturgical celebrations, educational and ministry outreach programs: http://www.wearesaltandlight.org/
Family Reflection: 2nd Corinthians 5:14-17
June 24th is the Solemnity of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist. In about six month, we will celebrate the Nativity of the Lord. Instead of waiting for Christmas to do charitable outreach, might the family take time during their summer vacation to do outreach to the marginalized in the community.?
Prayer
http://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/prayers-and
devotions/prayers/archbishop_romero_prayer.cfm
Blogs to Visit:
As we reflect upon Mary’s presence in the mysteries of the Rosary, we are blessed to know her. For her journey, a timeless trek, calls us to surrender, continuing conversion, humbleness and justice now.
http://peaceonjustice.wordpress.com/
Weekly lectionary reflections, for faith sharing groups, parish bulletins, newsletters or personal prayer, from the synergy of the Word we hear and the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching.
https://cst74life.wordpress.com/
Catholic Social Teaching offers seven principles for upholding life in our thoughts, decisions and actions.
How we do Catholic Social Teaching.
https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites
By Barb Born, June 8, 2015 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.