Religious Education
Important R.E. Dates for Term 3
Saturday July 20th @ 6pm: Confirmation Family Commitment Mass
Tuesday July 23rd @ 9:15am: Grandparent’s Day Mass
Wednesday July 31st: Reconciliation available for Grade 4 during school time
Thursday August 1st: Reconciliation available for Grade 4 during school time
Tuesday August 13th 8.45am-3.15pm: Confirmation Retreat Day
Thursday August 15th @ 9:15am: Feast of the Assumption Mass
Tuesday August 20th: Reconciliation available for Grade 6 during school time
Thursday August 22nd: Reconciliation available for Grade 6 during school time
Tuesday August 20th @ 3.30 - 4.30pm: Confirmation Family Faith Sharing Afternoon
Wednesday August 21st: Bishop Ireland visits Confirmation students during school time
Tuesday August 27th @ 9:15am: Father’s Day Mass
Friday August 30th @ 5pm: Sacrament of Confirmation Mass
Gospel
Jesus Calms the Storm
Unpacking the Scriptures
The Gospel of Mark this Sunday shows a vivid image of Jesus, whose words and deeds show that he is the Son of God. The scene takes place at the end of the day, after teaching the crowd in parables, Jesus leads his disciples across the Sea of Galilee and rests. This sea and its surrounding area are the settings for Jesus' teachings and miracles in Mark's Gospel.
Whilst Jesus sleeps peacefully, a sudden storm erupts and the disciples are terribly frightened. Mark notes the contrast between the disciples' terror and Jesus' tranquility, untroubled by what is going on around him.
During Jesus' time especially, power over nature was believed to be a sign of divinity—only God could have the power to calm storms. With a simple phrase Jesus stops the storm immediately and leaves the disciples wondering about his identity (a recurring theme in Mark's Gospel). They see before them a human being who acts with the authority and power of God. This was an important moment for the disciples’ faith, and is now for ours too.
Family Connection
A careful reader could wonder what the disciples expected Jesus to do. Are they more anxious by the storm or by Jesus' indifference to their needs? How many of us have been annoyed by a family member or friend for not sharing our feelings about severity of a situation?
This Gospel passage is a metaphor for our lives. We are in the boat like the disciples. The storms of life are raging around us, and we too may believe that Jesus is unconcerned, or “sleeping.” Are we comfortable enough to wake Jesus and present him with our needs? We hope that we will be as familiar with Jesus as his disciples. Jesus does not rebuke his disciples for waking him but for their lack of faith, for their lack of perspective. When we bring our worries to God in prayer, may we learn to see things from God's perspective. What is the storm in your life that you can give to God?
Pray
Gather together, light a candle and acknowledge that you are in the presence of God in a moment of silence. Read the Gospel Mark 4:35-41. Discuss with your child/children how worries and concerns are part of human life. Jesus teaches us that we shouldn’t let worries and fears overwhelm us but trust in God's protection and love. God is there always by our side, to calm our fears and show us that we are loved, no matter how strong the whirlwind is around us. Invite each family member to name a worry or concern. Pray together that Jesus will help your faith in God's love and protection. Say the words of St Teresa of Avila together:
Amen.
Amen.
India Mitchell-Fletcher
Religious Education Leader