“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?’ “ (Mk 4: 37-40)

Our Lord always cares. He came to announce the powerful love of God and how much He cares about us. “Violent squall” or dangerous waves, difficult days with your spouse or feeling totally lonely and rejected or in danger because of our pride–we always can count on God’s help. Sometimes He needs to be asked, seriously asked.

“God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” (Mk 4: 20)

It could be our action plan: “hear the word and accept it and bear fruit.” Not only “hear the word” but also “accept it” and when accepted “bear fruit.” Our planet was created by God who “said” “and it was so.” So, it is natural for God’s word to bear fruit. But when we are between word and fruits, we need to hear the word and accept it.

“The seed is the word of God, Christ is the sower; all who come to him will live for ever.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“They watched Jesus closely to see if he would cure him on the sabbath so that they might accuse him.” (Mk 3: 2)

For what reason do we watch Him? To admire, to be inspired, to praise or to accuse him? It is so odd that people would “watch Jesus closely” for that kind of reason. Unfortunately, the temptation to “watch Jesus closely” for the wrong reasons is near us when we think that prayer is to change God’s will. We pray to understand His will and to change our hearts, not His. He doesn’t need extra motives to love us; His love is unconditional and forever. We “watch Him closely” to be closer to Him, to listen to Him and to answer Him throughout our relationships and in our lives.

“Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“When Samuel went to sleep in his place, the LORD came and revealed his presence, calling out as before, ‘Samuel, Samuel!’ Samuel answered, ‘Speak, for your servant is listening.’ Samuel grew up, and the LORD was with him, not permitting any word of his to be without effect.” (1 Sam 3: 9-10. 19)

Samuel is a very good example for us, listeners to words of the Lord. What we can do is to take one or two words from the daily readings as a direction or suggestion for us for this particular day with a goal: “Not permitting any word of His to be without effect”–being more gentle, more respectful, more giving than demanding, spending more time with our spouses (more sometimes is just 5 minutes), more patient and more pure in our hearts and bodies. Every day we will find a variety of occasions to practice cooperation with God’s words. His word is always about His compassionate, unconditional love for us. Our role is to keep His word alive in our hearts and relationships.

“We have found the Messiah: Jesus Christ, who brings us truth and grace.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Jesus proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom and cured every disease among the people.” (Mt 4:23, Gospel Acclamation)

“If we say ‘Of heavenly origin,’ he will say to us, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of human origin,’ we fear the crowd, for they all regard John as a prophet.” (Mt 21: 25-26)

If we compare the simplicity of God which says “yes—yes, no—no” (Mt 5: 37) with the “wisdom” of “the chief priests and the elders of the people,” we can see the deep difference between us. He loves unconditionally and respects our limitations and difficulties, we love with expectations and demands. But we always have the chance to ask Him for a new heart and a new ability to love like He does.

“Come, o Lord, visit us in peace, that we may rejoice before you with a blameless heart.” (Communion Antiphon)

“That all may see and know, observe and understand, That the hand of the LORD has done this, the Holy One of Israel has created it.” (Is 41: 20)

God is not an anonymous benefactor of humanity. He speaks to us and He would like everyone to “know, observe and understand” how much we are loved. He is not giving just very subtle, individual and hidden graces but comes with strength; He is a powerful God with a strong arm: “It is I who say to you, ‘Fear not, I will help you’” in everyday situations.

“You, O Lord, are close, and all your ways are truth. From of old I have known of your decrees, for you are eternal.” (Entrance Antiphon)

“…the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD, as water covers the sea.” (Is 11: 9)

Without the Bible, without God’s words and without Church we are not able to know our God. He revealed Himself to us. He even became a man to be known more. What we can do before “the earth shall be filled with knowledge of the LORD” is to invite His word every day into my life, to listen to the Church’s teaching and to let Him fill me with the knowledge of Him and with love.

“Behold, our Lord shall come with power; he will enlighten the eyes of his servants.” (Gospel Acclamation)

“Come, let us climb the LORD’s mountain, to the house of the God of Jacob, That he may instruct us in his ways, and we may walk in his paths.” (Is 2: 3)

To see God’s ways and to “walk in his paths,” we need to “climb the Lord’s mountain.” The right perspective is from His position not from ours. How often we are overwhelmed by daily concerns; we can easily forget where our destination is. He comes everyday with His word, “instructs us in his ways,” and empowers us by His presence and His wisdom.

“Hear the word of the Lord, O nations; declare it to the distant lands: Behold, our Savior will come; you need no longer fear.” (Entrance Antiphon)

“… in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the Kingdom of God is near.,, Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (Lk 21: 31.33)

Our Lord reminds us that in every situation, in every circumstance, before anything happens, His loving presence is there with us; secondarily only are “these things happening”. His loving presence comes through His words which “will not pass away.” When “things” happen, we can always take His words into our hands and our hearts and trust His power more then the “power” of “these things.”

“The designs of his Heart are from age to age, to rescue their souls from death and to keep them alive in famine.” (Entrance Antiphon)