The tempest

12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

In the Gospel today we have the first of Mark’s miracle stories when the disciples were caught in a storm at sea and Jesus calms the storm. In it we have a question posed by the disciples in reaction to the miracle. “They were overcome with awe and said to one another “who can this be”? Even the wind and rain obey him.” This question is the heart of Mark’s Gospel and a question which even we ask today. Who is Jesus? He is the Messiah, the beloved Son of God. 

Jesus’ disciples are frightened by the sudden storm which occurs whilst Jesus is asleep in the boat, they panic and awaken Jesus who is untroubled by what is going on around him. The disciples wake Jesus with an accusation, “Master do you not care we are going down!” After calming the wind and the sea, Jesus rebukes them for their great fear and small amount of faith. It is then that they ask the question “who is this man”?  

We know who Jesus is. But the question remains for us, will our faith in Jesus stay with us even during threat and danger and suffering. Often we can have stormy weather inside of us, worries and life’s problems can seem over-whelming but since Jesus is always with us he has the power to calm these storms too if we let him. At these moments faith is a return to God through reliance, a dependence that can bring deep relief, peace and humility. Jesus does not scold his disciples for waking him, instead he scolds them for their lack of faith. When we bring our worries to God in prayer, we are acknowledging his might and our tiny size. God is all-powerful, and we should ask ourselves “am I willing to trust God to be in control of my life”? Relying upon God gives us a feeling of being protected and supported in life. In rough times we can rely on Christ.  

A reading from the Gospel of Mark (Mk 4: 35-41) 

 On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. 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?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?” 

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

  1. Read the Gospel story so that you are familiar with it.
  2. Reflect on what the Gospel story is saying to you. Which points would you highlight and why?
  3. The experience of the disciples is not unknown to us. To truly believe and trust that Jesus accompanies us on our journey to God especially in stormy times takes courage and steadfast prayer. We must nurture a strong belief that there is no storm that will not be calmed at last by his presence.  
  4. Spending time in silent adoration in front of the Eucharist helps us to really trust in the Lord. Try to fit in a visit to an Adoration Chapel this week, St. Teresa of Calcutta said “When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now.” 
  5. Together with your family find the right time to read this Gospel. The environment helps, so before you start, prepare; 
    i. The Bible reading from St Mark (4: 35-41) 
    ii. A candle
    iii. Cover the table with a green clot
    vi. A computer/laptop with the reading and clips
  6. Go through the steps with your children (2 age groups are being suggested)
  7. Feel free to adapt to your situation
  8. Be creative 😊

Go to the Prayer Corner section to continue praying as a family

 In today’s Gospel we hear about Jesus’ power over nature. In the middle of a great storm whilst he was in a boat with his disciples, Jesus calmed the wind and the sea and he tells the disciples to have courage and to have faith. 

  • God is more powerful than any storm or troubles that we might have 
  • Jesus is with us at all times even if we cannot feel him 
  • Printout
  • Colours and pencil
  • Scissors and glue stick
  • Blue craft paper
PrintoutDownload
PictureDownload

Imagine that you are in a small boat at sea and suddenly a storm starts. First the wind blows hard then it starts to rain and then there is thunder and lightning. That would be quite frightening don’t you think? That is exactly what happened to Jesus and his disciples in today’s Gospel reading. 

Jesus and his disciples had been traveling all around the countryside and Jesus had been teaching and performing many miracles. When it was evening Jesus suggested that they cross over to the other side of the lake. So they climbed into a boat and set sail to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus was very tired, he slept at the back of the boat with his head on a pillow. Suddenly, a fierce storm came up and waves began to wash over the side of the boat filling it with water. The disciples were afraid and they woke Jesus up saying. “Teacher, don’t you care that we are going to drown?” 

Jesus woke up and said to the wind and the waves, “Silence! Be still!” Suddenly, the wind stopped blowing and the sea became calm. He turned to the disciples and said, “Why are you afraid? Do you not have faith?” The disciples were terrified. “Who is this man?” they asked each other. “Even the wind and waves obey him!” 

 This miraculous event teaches us, that God is there through every storm in our lives. Even though we may never be in an actual storm in a boat like the disciples were, we will sometimes go through times of trouble in our lives. Maybe we are sick or we have an argument with our friends or we don’t do very well at school even though we have studied very hard or maybe someone we know passes away and we feel very sad. We can always know that even though we don’t feel God with us, just like the disciples thought Jesus wasn’t ‘with’ them, we can know that God is there with us through every storm that we will go through. God is more powerful than any storm or troubles that we will face and if we have faith in Him and His power then we can know that with God anything is possible. 

As a reminder of today’s Gospel you can print out the “Jesus calms the storm in my heart” template. Colour the heart, sail and the boat. Then cut out all the pieces. Next cut the blue craft paper into 1cm strips about 5 strips will be enough. Curl the strips around a pencil to make them look like waves and glue them down to the bottom of the heart. Fold the triangle in half to make the sail. Glue the boat over the waves and the sail on top. Write your name on the top of the heart. It should look like this (insert picture). At the same time you can listen to the song.  

Sign of the Cross

Dear Father in Heaven, we know that sometimes we will face difficult situations in our lives. Thank you for being there at all times to calm the storms. Give us courage to be brave and do the right thing. Amen   

In today’s Gospel reading Jesus fell asleep in the boat with his disciples when a big storm came up. The disciples were afraid and woke Jesus who stood up and said, “Silence! Be still” and the sea and the wind obeyed Him. 

  • With God anything is possible 
  • If we put our trust in Jesus especially when we are worried we should not feel afraid because He loves and protects us at all times 
  • Jesus Calms the storm template
  • Colours
  • Scissors 
  • Paper fastener (split pin)
TemplateDownload

Can you remember a time when you felt worried about something? Maybe you have a test at school coming up, or a friend who is ill or had an accident and was hurt. Talking about our worries with someone else always helps, it could be your parents, a friend or a teacher, catechist or a priest.  

In today’s Gospel the disciples are worried, because they were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee and a fierce storm arose. The wind was very strong and large waves were causing water to come into the boat and at that time Jesus was asleep at the back of the boat! Jesus was not worried about the storm because he knew that they were not in danger, with God in charge all things are possible! Jesus was woken up by the disciples, he stood up and said to the wind and the sea, “Silence! Be still.” Immediately the storm stopped and the sea became calm again. The disciples were no longer in danger from drowning. “What’s the matter?” Jesus said to them. “Don’t you trust me?” They were in awe of Jesus. He had the power of God, the power to control even the weather. 

There are certain things which worry us and maybe we don’t have any control over them but at these times we can share our worries and concerns with Jesus just like the disciples did. When we bring our worries to Jesus in prayer, Jesus can help us to see our worries from a different point of view. He can help us to face our worries with faith in God’s love and protection. He cares for us so that we don’t have to worry. With Jesus, everything will be alright, all things are possible.  

As a reminder of today’s Gospel you might like to create your own ‘boat -in-a-storm.’ All you have to do is print out the templates, colour them and cut them out. Make a small hole with scissors or a pin in the middle of the circle and on the boat. Push a metal pin through them both and bend the legs back. Now you can turn the circle and the skies will go from rain and thunder to calm and sunny. Do this whilst listening to; Nothing is Impossible .

Sign of the Cross.

Lord God, teach us to have more faith  in you. Do not allow our fears to make us doubt your presence or the fact that you take care of us. 

Let us praise God with the Gloria prayer (we recite this during mass) 

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen. 

1. What did the disciples, who were with Jesus at sea, have to face according to today's Gospel?

Correct! Wrong!

2. When the storm arose, what was Jesus doing?

Correct! Wrong!

3. What did the disciples do when they saw what was happening?

Correct! Wrong!

4. What did Jesus say to the wind and the sea ....

Correct! Wrong!

How to use this space

God speaks to us in many ways, including through the Sunday Scripture readings. Here you will find useful background and activities to better understand the upcoming Sunday's Scripture readings, helping you to connect the Scripture to daily life in a meaningful way.