Good Morning,
Welcome to your online worship from St. Mark’s for Sunday, June 23, 2024.
In my sermon for this Sunday, we reflect on Jesus, exhausted from teaching, calming a fierce storm, demonstrating his divine power and the promise of peace. This passage reminds us of our need for rest and the importance of trusting Jesus amidst life’s chaos and that we can find balance and reassurance in God’s presence, even in our busiest times.
Today’s Opening Sentence
A great prophet has arisen among us! God has visited his people! – Luke 7.16
Today’s Reading – Mark 4:35-41
On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side.” And leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. Other boats were with him. A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that the boat was already being swamped. But he was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” He woke up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” Then the wind ceased, and there was a dead calm. He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”1
Your Online Message and Prayers
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Reflection questions for the week:
- What storms in my life am I currently facing that may be leaving me feeling overwhelmed or helpless? How can I apply Jesus’ example from today’s reading by trusting in God’s presence and power to calm the chaos?
- In what ways do I struggle to prioritize rest, both physically and spiritually? What small steps can I take each day during the summer months (and beyond) to ensure that I am embracing God’s promise of rest and restoration?
- Who in my life could benefit from experiencing Christ’s peace and calm amidst their own storms? How can I be a bearer of God’s love and grace by offering words of encouragement or acts of kindness?
- In what ways have I grown deeper in my faith as a result of reflecting on Jesus’ humanity (his need for rest) and divinity (his power to calm the storms)? How can I continue growing closer to Christ through daily prayer, Bible study, and intentional living?
A continued reminder that if you are at all uncomfortable being in-person for worship, or if you are not feeling well, please join us here online.
Thank you again for joining with your parish family in our online worship today.
Find out how you can support our ministry and good work in the community here.
God Bless you and have a blessed week. Be well!
Peace,
The Rev’d Canon Rob Park
- Scripture quotation is from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.