Sunday, July 6, 2003
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time

1st Reading: Ezk 2:2-5

A spirit came upon me as he spoke and kept me standing and then I heard him speak,

"Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a people who have rebelled against me; they and their fathers have sinned against me to this day. Now I am sending you to these defiant and stubborn people to tell them 'this is the Lord Yahweh's word.'

So, whether they listen or not this set of rebels will know there is a prophet among them.

2nd Reading: 2 Cor 12:7-10

However, I better give up lest somebody think more of me than what is seen in me or heard from me. Lest I become proud after so many and extraordinary revelations, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a true messenger of Satan, to slap me in the face. Three times I prayed to the Lord that it leave me, but he answered, "My grace is enough for you; my great strength is revealed in weakness."

Gladly, then, will I boast of my weakness that the strength of Christ may be mine. So I rejoice when I suffer infirmities, humiliations, want, persecutions: all for Christ! For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Gospel: Mk 6:1-6

Jesus returned to his own country, and his disciples followed him. When the Sabbath came, he began teaching in the synagogue, and most of those who heard him were astonished. They commented, "How did this come to him? What kind of wisdom has been given to him that he also performs such miracles? Who is he but the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James and Joset and Judas and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here among us?" So they took offense at him.

And Jesus said to them, "Prophets are despised only in their own country, among their relatives and in their own family." And he could work no miracles there, but only healed a few sick people by laying his hands on them. Jesus himself was astounded at their unbelief.

Commentary

Jesus could not perform more and greater miracles because of his own townspeople's lack of faith. What they knew of him became an impediment to their belief: his craft, his family, his origins. They were not open to the possibility that Jesus could surpass what so far they knew about him. Every human person is a mystery that continually unfolds even to oneself. As one discovers more of oneself, he/she reveals new facets of his/her personality-new abilities, capabilities, competencies. One also gradually understand that the purpose of living is loving, thus giving oneself more intensely in the service of others through time. All these gifts a person can give are be missed by those whose minds and hearts are closed by first impressions, inflexible opinions, prejudice, bias.

Read also: • Gospel Reflections by Fr. Gerry Pierse, C.Ss.R.
          • Biblical Commentaries fro Diario Biblico

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