14th Sunday of Ordinary Time
First Reading: Ezekiel 2:2-5
As he spoke to me, spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard the one who was speaking say to me: Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their fathers have revolted against me to this very day. Hard of face and obstinate of heart are they to whom I am sending you. But you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord GOD! And whether they heed or resist-- for they are a rebellious house-- they shall know that a prophet has been among them.
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Brothers and sisters, that I, Paul, might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
Gospel Reading: Mark 6:1-6
Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house." So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith. He went around to the villages in the vicinity teaching.
Reflection: Fr. James Theophilus
Jesus is in his home place. His relatives and friends observe in him the
divine wisdom and the divine power working in him. But they were fully aware of
his human origin and that he has spent his time before public ministry here
among them (he himself was the Carpenter – probably he took the job after his
foster father Joseph). His people were offended
at this. Jesus’ disciples observed this and this could have been a very good
lesson for them too.
How did Jesus respond to this situation? At first he excused this (A
prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin,
and in his own house). However he did do some good among them. But he could not
do much among them. He marveled at their unbelief. Their unbelief was seen in
their unwillingness to see God working in and through Jesus. They refused to
see God in Jesus. In short they were blind to God. Finally he went about the nearby
villages and worked miracles among them.
