June 23, 2024 – 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Things to talk about:

• Share a time when you were in a big storm. Were you scared? Did you pray to God for help?
• What do you think it would have been like to watch the wind and sea obey Jesus’ command to be still?
• Why do you think Jesus asked his disciples, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”
• Have you experienced the sense of powerlessness the disciples felt? What types of situations might cause young people to feel fear or to feel like they don’t have control of a situation?
• God worked miracles in the lives of his followers while he walked this earth, he still works miracles today. Share a time when you saw God’s hand at work in your life.

Things to do:

PLANT A GARDEN

If you don’t have a storm like we hear about in today’s Gospel, create your own garden in a dedicated space in your backyard or in pots. Plant your seeds in rich soil and water them as needed. Be sure they get the right amount of sunlight. Over time, you can watch your seeds grow and reflect on how we too are Planted by God to produce great abundance!

CAST AWAY FEAR WITH PRAYER

Write out the verse from Isaiah 41:10 on your child’s bathroom mirror using dry erase markers. Or write it in a spot that will be a daily reminder for your family to trust God in times of fear: “Do not fear: I am with you; do not be anxious: I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my victorious right hand” – Isaiah 41:10.

Closing Prayer

Prayer of St. Teresa of Avila: Pray this prayer before bedtime to let the peace of Christ envelop your family.

Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, All things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things, Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.

Name those who need our prayers. Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insights

Today’s Gospel reading tells the story of Jesus calming the storm. This can be a powerful image that many people connect with because we have all likely experienced rough times in our lives. Those situations can make us feel powerless because we have no control over them.

To see Jesus possessing the power to calm a storm reminds us to have faith in him. We also recognize the reality that our fear can control us and prevent us from being good and faithful members of the Body of Christ.

Although the reading itself may not be very long, discussions that this story prompt can often take a while and be quite worthwhile because of the universality of these types of experiences.

It is important to reinforce that while we can all relate the Gospel to the storms in our lives, we also have to ask what it means for our faith.

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