June 23, 2024: Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Catholic Social Teaching: Care for God’s Creation
June 17th is the United Nations Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. Every second, an equivalent of four football fields of healthy land becomes degraded, adding up to a total of 100 million hectares each year. Each US$ invested in land restoration can yield up to 30 US$ in return. In many countries affected by desertification, land degradation and drought, agriculture represents a high share of economic revenue. How will you raise awareness of this issue? https://www.un.org/en/observances/desertification-day https://www.unccd.int/sites/default/files/2024-05/Agenda – Desertification and Drought Day_0.pdf
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 Acclamation: Luke7:16
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 in Ordinary Time, Cycle B
Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church:
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
Podcast Link: https://peaceonjustice.substack.com/p/peace-on-justice-ed0
In ancient times, people could not view chaos in the world by turning on a television or watching an online video. Expression of chaos, embedded in Near Eastern mythology, metaphorically revolved around disturbances on bodies of water. A lived experience for those plying maritime trade routes, out of cities such as Tyre, or fisherman in boats facing the hardship of violent squalls on the Sea of Galilee. But for most people, large bodies of water loomed as a mythical construct or words in Psalms 65, 89 and 107. Waters formed, contained, stilled by an all powerful God. God who posed questions to Job assessing his understanding of creation’s intricacies. A conversation that could boldly expose God’s power in an intimidating posture, but instead questions posed allowed Job’s self-discovery of God’s grander articulated in creation infused with a free, wild, creative spirit, unsettling to the status quo. A reminder we should always welcome the questions God proposes to disengage us from stale outlooks, to sail into new horizons that deepen our perspectives of God’s vitality to awaken us from ruts dug deep in the status quo that hold us back from being a new creation in Christ. Moving beyond the parchedness of deserts in our lives to enter refreshing safe harbors with thanksgiving for the Lord hears the cries of our distress and answers. All with the gentle breeze of kindness that propels us to our desired haven of Divine everlasting love. Like Jesus exhibited in the transition from talking in parables to modeling faith by His actions, as living as a parable. The complete confidence in God to sleep during the storm in the stern of the boat, a place where a captain might be piloting the vessel. The character to not verbally chastise the disciples for awakening Him, but first addressing their concern by rebuking the wind to produce a great calm. Only then did he dialogue about their faith. A posture to address inequality, injustice by calming systemic pressures making people feel they are perishing by racism, economic pressures, lack of access to education, or meaningful employment opportunities to provide a more plausible environment to address people’s wholistic needs. When Jesus did that for the disciples, they realized, with great awe, that He cared deeply for them. A reminder to not first proselytize people with an in-depth explanation of sin and salvation in terms of the kerygma, but first address their social concerns, listen to their physical needs to show the love of Christ in sincere service to others. For our words are hollow if we don’t authentically live as the love of Christ impels us. A reality Paul experienced in transition form a pharisee to a disciple of Christ to judge not in terms of flesh, if we believe with conviction that One died for all and that we need to live into that radical change of no longer living for ourselves, but Christ. A basis for reconciliation and unity for a great prophet has risen in our midst and God has visited His people. Reflected in the awe of the disciples in the boat, the referential acts of Jesus that earlier prophets prefigured and labeled with the title of prophet flowing from His Divine actions and anchor. The way God drew near to His people modeling the way we should draw near in compassion to others.
Individual Reflection: 2nd Corinthians 5:14-17
June 29th is the feast day of Sts. Peter and Paul. Reflect on the need for a spectrum of disciples in the Church, each bringing unique gifts in outreach to a diversity of people. How can you better welcome a breadth of disciples in your ministry to use the diversity of their gifts, in complementing one another instead of competing with one another, to expand the ministry’s footprint in welcoming and serving the needs of a wider range of people?
Family Reflection: Mark 4:35-41
The Sea of Galilee sits almost 700 feet below sea level and is surrounded by steep slopes creating a micro climate producing frequent, intense squalls. Search “squalls on Sea of Galilee” for numerous videos showing the typography and actual storm footage to get a feel for the storm portrayed in Mark’s scripture passage. Get ready for a wild ride !
Prayer: June 24th is the Nativity of St John the Baptist. He is considered a prophet in Christianity, Islam and Bahai faith traditions. He heralded the Messiah and spoke of needing to decrease, so Christ could increase. Pray for his intercession this week in helping us to be humble disciples.
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.
https://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.
Link: https://csmresources.wordpress.com/
Creation sustainability ministry resources in the spirit of the St Francis Pledge.
Social Ministry Resources Engaging Parishes: Monthly and liturgical seasons resources for use with parish websites, bulletins and newsletters
Involvement Opportunities
List one or two upcoming events, legislative action alerts or social justice websites
By Barb Born June 16, 2024 The reflection maybe used in parish bulletins, newsletters or for faith sharing groups without copyright concern.