Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, Primary

Primary Session
Mark 4:35-41

Opening Prayer

Let us pray.
Dear God,
We know you are always with us. Sometimes we forget this, especially when we are really scared. Help us remember to turn to you always and give us faith to know you are always there. In Jesus’ name we ask this,
Amen.

Opening Life Reflection
Show pictures of storm clouds and lightening. Share with one another how you feel in a storm. Who do you want to be with in a storm and why is it that some people help you feel safe?

Listening to the Word of God
Jesus first helps the disciples out of a dangerous situation in today’s Gospel and then he wonders aloud, why they didn’t have faith in him.

Read Mark 4:35-41
Allow for silence.

Scripture Discussion Starters
• What do you think the disciples were saying to each other before they finally woke up Jesus?
• What do you think they might have said to each other after Jesus’ calmed the storm?
• Why was it important for the apostles to know that Jesus could calm the sea?

Scripture Background

Scholars believe that Mark told this story to his audience of the early Church so they might have faith even though they face turbulence. The early Church was persecuted and certainly many people lost heart in the chaos. The sea was in chaos, too, but Mark used the story to show people that God was always with them. The story helped the disciples (and us today) know that our faith must be strong in Jesus.

Questions for Deeper Reflection

• What kinds of “storms” are in our lives/world today?
• In what ways do you think God is present in these storms?
• How do you think our trust in God quiets these storms?

[If you are not going to continue with the doctrinal discussion, proceed to the Gospel in Life.]

Doctrinal Discussion Starters
The Power of God
God is all-powerful. Out of love and goodness, God created the world. From nothingness, the world was created with us in it. The world God created has good and evil in it. It is not a perfect world but is working toward perfection in the fullness of God’s time. God has promised us eternal life and sent Jesus to us to be our savior. It is this savior, Jesus, who calmed the storm at sea for the disciples, and he will calm the storms in our own lives as well.

• How can you show people the face of Jesus by helping them calm their storms?
• How are you like the disciples before, during, and after the storm?
• Who are people in our Church who help calm storms and what is it they do?

Sacrament Connection
We are always changing and usually grow in the process. Sometimes bad things happen that cause us to change. It’s possible that we might be responsible for the bad thing. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is like Jesus calming the storm. The storm could be the hurtful thing we did, but Jesus loves us and forgives us so we can grow from our experience. God is there to help us be a better person and the calm sea is us living in a way that pleases God.

The Gospel in Life
Stormy seas are everywhere. They are in our personal lives, our schools, neighborhoods, all around the world. What is one thing you will do to help calm one storm this week and how will you ask Jesus to help you?