Daily Catholic Lectio. Sat, 27 Jan 2024. Who, then, is this?

Daily Catholic Lectio

Sat, 27 January 2024

Saturday of the Third Week in Ordinary Time

2 Samuel 12:1-7, 10-17. Mark 4:35-41

Who, then, is this?

One of the basic questions that we raise when we are on the way towards God experience is, ‘Who is this?’

The gospel reading brings before us the narrative of Jesus calming the wind and the sea. This narrative could be understood both as a miracle and as a metaphor.

(a) As a miracle

So far, Mark has recorded two types of miracles: healing the sick and casting out the demons. The narrative of Jesus rebuking the sea comes under nature miracles. Through this, the author wants to communicate to his audience that Jesus Christ is the Lord or Master of the Universe.

(b) As a metaphor

The narrative refers to an experience of persecution by the early Christian community. ‘Boat’ represents ‘Church.’ ‘The waves’ represent ‘the persecutions.’ ‘Jesus’ sleep’ refers to ‘his absence.’ The author instructs his community to hold on to Jesus and to have faith in him. They must find out the answer to the question – ‘who then is he?’ – by themselves.

What are the lessons for us?

(a) ‘The disciples took Jesus with them in the boat.’ On the one hand, Jesus wanted his disciples to be with him (cf. Mk 3:14). Here, the disciples want Jesus to be with them. Being with Jesus is a moment of reciprocity.

(b) ‘Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?’ Though the apostles have witnessed Jesus working wonders, though they heard the demons shout, ‘Son of God,’ they were not able to believe in him. They had the author of life with them, but they forgot about it.

(c) ‘Who then is he?’ – the question emerges not as an exclamation but as an internal interrogation. A person who has heard Jesus and has dined with him must continue to proclaim about God. This question makes us delve into our heart.

In the first reading, after the adultery with Bathsheba, the Lord God sends Nathan. Upon hearing the parable, David realised his mistake and surrendered, ‘I have sinned against the Lord.’

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‘God reveals himself in sacred scripture and sacred tradition. He calls us to respond to him through obedience of faith (Jubilee A. D. 2025, bite 18).

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionaries of Mercy