| Reading 1 | Response | Reading 2 | Gospel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jb 38:1, 8-11 | Ps 107:23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 30-31 | 2 Cor 5:14-17 | Mk 4:35-41 |
| RCL: Jb 38:1-11 | RCL: 2 Cor 6:1-13 |
Theophany: exposing and evaluating human limitations
During Ordinary time the Lectionary presents stories and teachings from Jesus’ everyday ministry. This week’s readings focus on personal encounters with God.
First reading (Jb 38:1, 8-11)
The first reading is from the story of Job, part of the Hebrew scripture “Writings” that follow Wisdom traditions. Scholars believe Job was written between the sixth and fourth century BC, after the exile. In today’s pericope, God begins to address Job’s question about undeserved suffering. God appears to Job (a theophany) in the form of a powerful windstorm (“out of the storm”) and asks several rhetorical questions. God asserts God’s utter transcendence (“I shut the sea,” “I made the clouds,” “I set the sea’s limits“) and power over nature (“here shall your proud waves be stilled”). Ancient peoples viewed “wind” and “sea” as uncreated chaos that only the gods could control; in Genesis, God spends two days separating and gathering the primeval waters. The Lectionary editors chose this passages because of God’s power over the wind and sea. In the gospel, Jesus also shows divine control over the same elements.
Second reading (2 Cor 5:14-17)
The second reading is a continuation of Ordinary time’s semi-continuous reading from Paul’s second letter to the Corinth ekklesia. In today’s pericope, Paul contrasts his ministry’s motivation with that of the false teachers besieging the Corinthians. Christ’s love “impels” Paul to begin and to continue his service as an apostle. He offers his insight (“conviction”) that Christ’s love is the reason “one died for all.” That is, Jesus’ physical death reconciled humans to God so that humans could be saved from spiritual death (sin). “Those who live” are alive because of Christ’s gift (his death and resurrection); the gift obligates those who live to live for others (“no longer for themselves”). Before his conversion, Paul “knew” Christ incorrectly (“according to the flesh”), and persecuted Christ and his disciples. As part of his conversion, he now experiences (“knows”) Christ in a different way. To see differently and to be a new creature (“new creation”), disciples must be in Christ; that is, only Christians are “new creations.” Although Christ’s gift enables a new creation, humans must choose to be new people created in Christ (“new things”); the “new” does not automatically replace the “old. The Lectionary editors chose this reading as part Ordinary time’s semi-continuous reading from 2 Corinthians.
Gospel (Mk 4:35-41)
Mark’s gospel begins a collection of stories about Jesus’ “mighty deeds.” Jesus moves beyond Galilee to gentile territory; this is the first of several trips Jesus makes across the Sea of Galilee, a symbolic barrier between Jews and gentiles. This story signals a change in Mark’s gospel, from Jesus’ teachings to Jesus’ works of power.
- “Bad” weather. The Sea of Galilee is noted for its violent squalls that can arise without warning, as wind is funneled through the steep valleys among the hills surrounding the lake. As today’s first reading suggests, the wind and sea also represent the primeval chaos that only God can contain. (For God’s power over the sea, see Ps 42:7-8, Ps 65:7-8, Ps 89:8-9, Ps 107:23-32). The disciples fear the primal spirits are stronger than Jesus.
- An exorcism. In quieting the storm, Jesus exercises the same power or authority that he uses to cast out demons and to perform mighty works of healing. Nature miracles and healing miracles point to the inbreaking of God’s kingdom, restoring the order present at creation, and subjugating all things to the rule of God (“God’s reign” or “the kingdom of God”).
- Awe before the divine. The disciples move from fear (“we are perishing”) to the numinous sense of awe that is part of a theophany or a human experience of divine power. Mark recounts fear and awe as part of the disciples’ learning process, which leads them to question more deeply Jesus’ nature and mission (“who is this?”). This story reminds Mark’s community that Jesus’ saving presence continues amid persecutions that threaten their existence.
Summary and reflection
This week’s readings ask us to think about our encounters with the divine. God reveals God’s total otherness to Job, challenging Job’s human view of God. Paul shares his conversion experience, urging them to think beyond their fleshy worldview. Jesus’ authority over wind and wave spirits change the disciples’ understanding of their teacher. A personal encounter with the divine reframes our perspective; it is an opportunity to experience a reality greater than ourselves. Like Job, do we seek to understand and to accept our place in an ambiguous universe? Like Paul, do we allow a divine encounter to make us anew completely and permanently? Like Jesus’ disciples, can we move beyond our fear of the radically Other to awe, appreciation, and worship?
—Terence Sherlock
The Lectionary In Context 