Ordinary Weekday/ Optional Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1: 69, 70-72, 73-75
Alleluia: John 3: 16
Gospel: Mark 4: 35-41
First Reading: Hebrews 11: 1-2, 8-19
1 Now faith is the substance of things to be hoped for, the evidence of things that appear not.
2 For by this the ancients obtained a testimony.
8 By faith he that is called Abraham, obeyed to go out into a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he abode in the land, dwelling in cottages, with Isaac and Jacob, the co-heirs of the same promise.
10 For he looked for a city that hath foundations; whose builder and maker is God.
11 By faith also Sara herself, being barren, received strength to conceive seed, even past the time of age; because she believed that he was faithful who had promised,
12 For which cause there sprung even from one (and him as good as dead) as the stars of heaven in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable.
13 All these died according to faith, not having received the promises, but beholding them afar off, and saluting them, and confessing that they are pilgrims and strangers on the earth.
14 For they that say these things, do signify that they seek a country.
15 And truly if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they had doubtless time to return.
16 But now they desire a better, that is to say, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for he hath prepared for them a city.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered Isaac: and he that had received the promises, offered up his only begotten son;
18 (To whom it was said: In Isaac shall thy seed be called.)
19 Accounting that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Whereupon also he received him for a parable.
Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1: 69, 70-72, 73-75
R. (68) Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.
69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, in the house of David his servant:
R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.
70 As he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets, who are from the beginning:
71 Salvation from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us:
72 To perform mercy to our fathers, and to remember his holy testament,
R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.
73 The oath, which he swore to Abraham our father, that he would grant to us,
74 That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, we may serve him without fear,
75 In holiness and justice before him, all our days.
R. Blessed be the Lord the God of Israel; he has come to his people.
Alleluia: John 3: 16
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
16 God so loved the world that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel: Mark 4: 35-41
35 And he saith to them that day, when evening was come: Let us pass over to the other side.
36 And sending away the multitude, they take him even as he was in the ship: and there were other ships with him.
37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that the ship was filled.
38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, sleeping upon a pillow; and they awake him, and say to him: Master, doth it not concern thee that we perish?
39 And rising up, he rebuked the wind, and said to the sea: Peace, be still. And the wind ceased: and there was made a great calm.
40 And he said to them: Why are you fearful? have you not faith yet?
41 And they feared exceedingly: and they said one to another: Who is this (thinkest thou) that both wind and sea obey him?
Reflection
Faith does not remove the need to set out; it gives us courage to go where God leads, even when the destination is not yet visible. Abraham left without knowing where he was going, and he and Sarah trusted a promise whose fulfillment they would only glimpse from afar. Their lives were shaped by confidence in the God who remains faithful. The psalm echoes that same promise: God remembers his covenant and comes to his people so that they may serve him without fear.
In the Gospel, faith is tested in a more immediate way. The disciples are in the boat, surrounded by wind and waves, while Jesus seems silent. His command, “Peace, be still,” reveals that the Lord who promises salvation also possesses authority over the chaos that frightens us. Yet his question reaches deeper than the storm: “Have you not faith yet?” Believing in Christ means trusting his presence and power even before calm arrives. We can practice that faith by bringing our fears honestly to him, then continuing the obedience he has given us, confident that his love—shown in the gift of the Son—will carry us toward the life he has promised.
Prayer
Faithful God, you called Abraham and Sarah to trust your promise, and you sent your Son to bring us salvation. When the waters of fear rise around us and your presence seems hidden, keep us from surrendering to panic. Teach us to recognize Christ with us in the boat, trusting his authority and remaining faithful to the path you place before us. Strengthen our hope in the heavenly country you have prepared, and make our lives a quiet witness to your covenant mercy. Grant us courage to serve you in holiness and justice, without fear. Amen.
Leave a Reply