3rd Week in Ordinary Time
28th January 2023 (Saturday) Readings and Reflection
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Reading of the Day
First Reading: HEBREWS 11. 1-2; 8-19
Brethren: Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born descendants as many as the stars of heaven and as many as the innumerable grains of sand by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared for them a city. By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, "Through Isaac shall your offspring be named." He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.
Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75 (R. see 68)
Response: Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he has visited his people.
Gospel : 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 in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking 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 that we are perishing?" 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 so afraid? Have you still no faith?" And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?"
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Faith that is holistic!
Indicative: As believers, we will certainly go through tests and trials like any others, and sometimes, even more. But the Lord is always with us to lead us through{alertSuccess}
1. Today’s Word of God invites us to focus on faith. We are taught what is faith and what faith does in our life. First of all, faith is not a guarantor or insulator against all troubles and turmoils in life. We must remember that even the disciples, and even with Jesus on their boat, had to face a storm.
2. This shows that even when we have faith, and even when Jesus is with us, God may allow difficulties, fears, and tensions to surround us. The first reading also reminds us that faith will not exempt even righteous persons like Abraham from trying times.
3. However, true faith keeps us steadfast through tests and takes us to victory. Faith makes us obey in surrender. It keeps us assured. It empowers us to accomplish things that are humanly not normal. Finally, faith helps us to sail over the storms and to experience calm.
4. Storms are natural and fear is also natural. Jesus rebuked the frightened disciples in the boat, with the question, “Why are you terrified? Do you not have faith?” The reason for his rebuke is not so much their fear but their lack of faith.
5. This becomes clear in their rushing to Jesus, protesting, “Do you not care that we are perishing?” Humanly speaking, they must have been annoyed and displeased with Jesus. They were running for life in dread and he was peacefully and “carelessly” sleeping. They were in panic all around, and he was cool on a “cushion”.
6. So the problem was not their fear or waking up Jesus or seeking his intervention. The issue was they lost sight of the unfailing care of Jesus. They forgot that he is the life-giver and life-saver. He came to give life and save life. But they stuck to the fear of death and perishing.
7. St Thomas Aquinas whom we venerate today was always focused on God and nothing could divert his attention. This total focus and commitment would bear abundant fruits in his wise and penetrating writings along with the depth of humility and height of sanctity.
Imperative: In the face of difficulties and afflictions, our approach must be not to doubt God’s presence and care for us. Rather, let us confide in Him firmly and sail through life with enduring hope{alertSuccess}