12th Sunday in Ordinary Time
By Fr. Victor Feltes
As evening drew on, Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us cross to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Jesus with them in the boat just as he was. Other boats were with him. Now God knew about the coming storm, yet God permitted Jesus’ disciples to experience it. Looking at the sky, they may not have wanted to board that boat; later, they definitely wanted to be out of the storm. Yet God willed them to be there at that time, to gain insight, to grow in their awe of Christ, and to deepen their relationship with him.
A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. 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?” He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Quiet! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was great calm. In response to the words of Christ, the winds and waves obey. “Let there be light… Your sins are forgiven… Be healed… This is my Body.” The words of the Lord create reality.
Then Jesus asked the disciples in the boat, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?” They were filled with great awe and said to one another, “Who then is this whom even wind and sea obey?” They were awestruck at the miracle they had witnessed, and their reverence for Jesus grew. They had sailed together, and came to the other side of the sea together, and (thankfully) nobody had washed out or jumped out earlier.
This weekend, Fr. Chinnappan is celebrating his final Sunday Masses at St. Paul’s and enjoying their farewell parties, meanwhile, I have both of the Masses here at St. John’s. At a recent meeting of our Pastoral Council, they suggested I speak about a few topics regarding our beautiful Sunday worship to enhance it even more.
For instance, at the Presentation of the Gifts, the priest-celebrant says, “Pray, brothers and sisters,” or “Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.” At that point, you may have noticed some variation in how St. John’s parishioners respond. Some people stand as soon as the priest begins to speak, while others wait for the completion of his call. According to the Roman Missal from which I say the Mass and the missalettes in your pews, it is when the priest has completed his call that the people are to rise and respond: “May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.” This is not what occurs at many—perhaps even most—parishes, but if we wish to worship in the best and most faithful ways, I encourage you all to rise and respond at the end of my calling. In this way, the words of the priest acting in the person of Christ more clearly manifest their effect, like the winds and waves responded to the words of the Lord.
Another topic the Pastoral Council asked about was kneeling after the reception of Holy Communion. The habit here is to remain kneeling until the priest sits down, but they wondered what the rule was. (Reportedly, some people find it painful to kneel that long.) According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (or GIRM), which contains instructions for the celebration of Holy Mass, the faithful may sit or kneel after Communion. Without causing a disruption to others at Mass, you may thank and love the Eucharistic Lord within you using the posture which will help you adore him best.
A final reflection is about coming to Holy Mass and remaining to the end. Some people say they find Mass boring, yet Jesus is here and wants you with him in this boat. If you attend with faith and openness, you will gain insight, grow in awe of Christ who loves you, and deepen your relationship with him. Unless you have a gravely serious reason, never skip Sunday Mass nor leave before singing our final God-glorifying hymn. Skipping Mass is to miss the boat. Leaving early is to jump out on Jesus early.
And after Mass, if you were not able to fully reflect in the time of sacred silence after you received our Lord in Holy Communion, feel free to remain here with him longer. Be quiet. Be still. It’s a beautiful thing Jesus surely enjoys, for he calls us here to worship him, and gives us himself in the Eucharist so that we may be together as one.
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