Bulletins by St. Clare Parish (Page 3)

Bulletins by St. Clare Parish (Page 3)

June 30th – Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Jesus’ time among the people prompted calls for Him to heal the sick, so much so that, on his way to cure a little girl, an ailing woman also reaches out to the Lord. Jesus did not complain or withhold healing from them, but responded to their faith with the love and care of God. As the Lord was present in these healings and in the boat that was tossed about by strong winds and rough seas (last Sunday’s gospel passage), He continues to be with us, especially in our moments of need, when we may think that all hope is lost. It is for us, also, to be signs of God’s abiding presence to one another.

June 23rd – Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time

“Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” These words, placed on the lips of the apostles, who were in the storm-tossed boat with Jesus, echo many of our questions. We ask why God does not intervene to heal whatever ails us, whether in mind or in body. We wonder why we feel abandoned during our most difficult times. Job questioned the wisdom of God, Whose response forms this weekend’s first reading, addressing Job out of the storm: Who shut within doors the sea, when it burst forth from the womb; when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling bands? When I set limits for it and fastened the bar of its door, and said: Thus far shall you come but no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stilled! (Job 3:1,8-11) The Lord does care when we believe all is lost and that we are perishing. He is, so to speak, “in the boat” with us in those darkest days. He challenges us, also, to believe, to have faith in His nearness to us then, and every day of our lives.