Discussion Questions

First Reading

Job 38:1, 8-11

F1. “The Lord addressed Job in a storm.” If God addresses you in the stormy times of your life, do you progress, regress, or just hang on for dear life?

F2. Who is in charge in this reading? Explain. Even though it doesn’t seem so, do you think God will limit your “storms”?

Second Reading

2 Corinthians 5:14-17

S1. How do people who “no longer live for themselves” qualify as “new creations”?

S2. “The love of Christ impels us.” What does the love of Christ “impel” you to do? What actions do you perform because you love Christ that you might not otherwise perform? Relieve someone’s suffering in some way? Work for ecojustice? Do something to change the climate crisis?

Gospel

Mark 4:35-41

G1. The disciples thought they were going down with the storm and they were afraid. Can you relate to that? As he was with the disciples, is Jesus with you when “violent squalls come up” in your life? What does Pope Francis say can happen if we cry out to Jesus like the disciples did?

Today we can ask ourselves: what are the winds that beat against my life? What are the waves that hinder my navigation, and put my spiritual life, my family life, even my psychological life in danger? Let us say all this to Jesus; let us tell him everything. He wants this; he wants us to grab hold of him to find shelter from the unexpected waves in life. The Gospel recounts that the disciples approach Jesus, wake him and speak to him (cf. v. 38).

This is the beginning of our faith: to recognize that alone we are unable to stay afloat; that we need Jesus like sailors need the stars to find their course. Faith begins from believing that we are not enough for ourselves, from feeling in need of God. … When we cry out to him, he can work wonders in us. It is the gentle and extraordinary power of prayer, which works miracles.

Angelus for 12 Ord B
Pope Francis, June 20, 2021

G2. Pope Francis reminded us that during the coronavirus we were all in the same boat, caught off guard by the turbulence, disoriented and fragile. We needed to row together What are some things we can work on together to solve some of the world’s problems now? Pray? Feed the hungry? Recycle? Build Tiny Homes for the homeless? Care for the sick? Help stop trafficking? Work to prevent discrimination?

Anne Osdieck

**From Saint Louis University