Preparation
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Blessed are you, Sovereign God,
king of the nations,
to you be praise and glory for ever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
your name is proclaimed in all the world.
As the Sun of Righteousness dawns in our hearts
anoint our lips with the seal of your Spirit
that we may witness to your gospel
and sing your praise in all the earth.
Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
Mark 4.35-41
When evening had come, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let us go across to the other side.’ And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great gale arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, ‘Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?’ And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, ‘Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?’
Reflection
Jesus said: Peace! Be still!
As we tune into the daily news bulletins, or as we read our daily newspapers, we are given the impression that there is no peace left in this world. We are beset with tales of aggression, exploitation, injustice and persecution. The personal ambition, anger, greed and pride of those whose decisions affect the lives of others seem to be driving so many into conflict and confusion. The life-threatening storm which Jesus calms in today’s reading seems to be raging all around us. In our desperation we join the battle in the hope that we might be able to bring about the peace we long for in our own small corners of the world. But, of course, we cannot, just as the disciples could not calm the storm without the help of Jesus.
So often, as we find ourselves enraged and frustrated we convince ourselves that we are alone, that Jesus must be sleeping or looking the other way. Perhaps we convince ourselves that the trials and tribulations that we face are brought about as God’s will, as a test of our faith. However we might choose to deal with the storms of daily life, we too often forget that help is always on hand, that Jesus has trod the path before us and is ready to hold and guide us … if we will allow him to.
Our God is not an angry and vengeful God, He does not exact punishments and trials upon us for his amusement and sport. The agonies of this life are self-inflicted, and God is there to hold our hands and offer his comfort and consolation. Sometimes we may feel as though we deserve the calamities that confront us … even when the fault is ours and ours alone, God is still there to hold our hands and offer his comfort and consolation. Jesus is there to say: Peace! Be still!
Let us pray that we might trust in the peace of Christ. Let us pray that we might share that peace with all whom we encounter in our daily lives. Let us pray that we might be still in Christ as we seek to lead others away from the maelstrom of modern living.
Prayers
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
let us pray to the Lord.
That the people of God in all the world
may worship in spirit and in truth,
let us pray to the Lord.
That the Church may discover again
that unity which is the Father’s will,
let us pray to the Lord.
That the nations of the earth
may seek after the ways that make for peace,
let us pray to the Lord.
That the whole creation, groaning in travail,
may be set free to enjoy the glorious liberty of the children of God,
let us pray to the Lord.
That all who with Christ have entered the shadow of death
may rest in peace and rise in glory,
let us pray to the Lord.
Let us commend the world, to which Christ showed the way,
to the mercy and protection of God.
Creator of the heavens,
who led the Magi by a star
to worship the Christ-child:
guide and sustain us,
that we may find our journey’s end
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Believing the promises of God,
let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Christ the Son of God
perfect in us the image of his glory
and gladden our hearts
with the good news of his kingdom;
and may the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among us and remain with us always.
Amen.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 7:28 — 6.8MB)
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | RSS | More