Daily Readings for June 21, 2015

1ST READING

Job is reminded that pride hinders him from understanding the work of God in his life. God is in control — He will guide us by His grace in the perfect life He desires for us. Discipleship is about surrendering our lives to the will of God. This is the only way to true happiness and peace.

Job 38:1, 8-11

1 The Lord addressed Job out of the storm and said: 8 Who shut within doors the sea, when it burst forth from the womb; 9 when I made the clouds its garment and thick darkness its swaddling bands? 10 When I set limits for it and fastened the bar of its door, 11 and said: Thus far shall you come but no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stilled!

P S A L M

Psalm 107:23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 30-31

R: Give thanks to the Lord, his love is everlasting.

23 They who sailed the sea in ships, trading on the deep waters, 24 these saw the works of the Lord and his wonders in the abyss. (R) 25 His command raised up a storm wind which tossed its waves on high. 26 They mounted up to heaven; they sank to the depths; their hearts melted away in their plight. (R) 28 They cried to the Lord in their distress; from their straits he rescued them, 29 he hushed the storm to a gentle breeze, and the billows of the sea were stilled. (R) 30 They rejoiced that they were calmed, and he brought them to their desired haven. 31 Let them give thanks to the Lord for his kindness and his wondrous deeds to the children of men. (R)

2ND READING

God gave more grace to the new creation than the old creation. The advent of the ministry of Jesus — His life, death and resurrection — added a new dimension to our relationship with God. The power of victory over sin is now in our own hands. What a pity it will be if, after having been given the key to the gift of new life, we choose to wallow in the depravity of our sins.

2 Corinthians 5:14-17

14 Brothers and sisters: The love of Christ impels us, once we have come to the conviction that one died for all; therefore, all have died. 15 He indeed died for all, so that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 16 Consequently, from now on we regard no one according to the flesh; even if we once knew Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him so no longer. 17 So whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.

GOSPEL

Jesus commands the elemental forces of nature. His power is complete. Because He gave us free will, the only power He lacks is control over the way we act and live. Free will is the freedom to reject God or embrace the call of faith and surrender our lives to Him. Let us pray for the grace to use the gift of our free will for good.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

A great prophet has arisen in our midst. God has visited his people.

Mark 4:35-41

35 On that day, as evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples: “Let us cross to the other side.” 36 Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. And other boats were with him. 37 A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. 38 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?” 39 He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased and there was great calm. 40 Then he asked them, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” 41 They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?”

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