The Lord of Creation

 

If any one is in Christ, he is a new creation.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B, June 23rd, 2024
Texts: Job 38:1, 8-11; Ps  107:23-26.28-31; 2 Corinthians 5:14- 17; Mark 4:35-41

Jesus Christ reveals Himself, today, as the Lord of creation. He is the Lord of creation because He is the origin of creation and has authority over it. This is clear in His exercise of authority over storm and waves of the sea. We read, “And he awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” 

The fact that Jesus is the Lord of creation is evident in the Scripture. St. John says, "All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being" (John 1:3). He also says, "He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him" (John 1:10).  

We exist through Him

St. Paul also affirms that Jesus is the Lord of creation. He says, "For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him" (Col. 1:16). Again he says, “one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we exist through Him." 

The author of the letter to the Hebrews says, "in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world" (Heb. 1:2). 

Today’s first reading reminds us that authority over creation belongs to God. We read, “The lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: ‘Who shut in the sea with doors, when it burst forth from the womb; ...  and set bars and doors, and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?’” While God revealed Himself to Job in the whirlwind as Lord of creation, Jesus did so in storm. This means Jesus is God in human flesh.

Jesus can bring things into being

Having the power of God Jesus can bring things into being and cause them to cease. Hence, today’s Psalm says, “For he spoke and raised up the storm-wind, tossing high the waves of the sea that surged to heaven and dropped to the depths.  ... He stilled the storm to a whisper, and the waves of the sea were hushed.”  The same God who creates the storm-wind and surging waves causes them to cease. Jesus who calms the sea and surging waves can create them by His words. 

What does it mean to us that Jesus Christ is the Lord of creation? It means He can cause useless ways of life to cease and make us anew. Hence, in today’s second reading, St. Paul says, “Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come.” Jesus can recreate us.  

Let us always live for Him

St. Paul tells us that Jesus Christ makes us anew by His death for us. Having died for us, we are to live for Him. In the words of St. Paul: “And he died for all, that those who live might live no longer for them- selves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” When we live for Him, we become a new creation. Today’s Psalm says, “Let them thank the LORD for his mercy, his wonders for the children of men.” When we live for Him, our lives become thanksgiving hymns to God. Let us always live for Him. 

Prayer  

Grant, O Lord, that we may always revere and love your holy name, for you never deprive of your guidance those you set firm on the foundation of your love. Amen 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke