Saturday 31^st January – Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest

Reflection: Mark 4: 35-41

WHEN FOLLOWING CHRIST BECOMES TOUGH

Each time I read today’s gospel reading, I marvel at the fact that one can sincerely follow God’s instruction and still experience storms. It is commonplace in today’s Christianity to see people preach that the moment we decide to follow Jesus, all our problems come to an end. Such people attribute every form of challenge in life to something contrary to God’s will. However this preaching of a “cross-less” Christianity is nothing but deception.

Christ calls you and I to carry our cross and follow Him if we truly want to be His disciples. The cross is never easy to carry. It is never a pleasant experience but as we follow Christ, the crosses we are called to carry help to increase our faith, trust and commitment to Him. In today’s reading, it was Christ who initiated the decision to cross over to the other side (Mark 4:35). Yet, there was a storm on the sea, so great that the disciples were afraid their boat would capsize. Christ certainly knew that there would be a storm yet He initiated the movement and was there to rebuke the waves when the disciples called out to Him. And through that circumstance, the disciples were filled with awe at His power over the forces of nature.

Dear friend, true discipleship does not imply a problem-free life. Rather, it promises us the assurance that God is working out all things for our good. Are you going through a storm? Do not be afraid. Simple make your situation report to Jesus and trust Him to rebuke the waves on your behalf. Every difficulty He allows would make us stronger, better, holier and more faithful Christians.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, please help me to trust you even in the midst of difficulties. May I find peace and confidence in you, come what may. Amen.

KNOW YOUR FAITH: YOUCAT 486 – Why should we petition God?

God, who knows us through and through, knows what we need. Nevertheless, God wants us to ask, to turn to him in times of need, to cry out, implore, lament, call upon him, indeed, even to struggle with him in prayer.

HIDE A TREASURE: “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.” Luke 14:27 RSV-CE

Readings for Today: Hebrews 11 1-2, 8-19; Luke 1: 69-75 (Canticle); Mark 4: 35-41