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Our Sunday Reflection - July 7, 2024
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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 have been wrought by his hands!"
Mark 6:2
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Introduction to the Liturgy of the Day
Each Sunday the Holy Spirit draws us here to hear God’s word, to receive Christ in the Eucharist, and to worship the Lord. We pray that our faith is strengthened by this time we spend in prayer. When Jesus preached in his hometown, he was amazed at the lack of faith of his neighbors. They came to the synagogue to pray but left questioning how this unassuming neighbor could teach with such authority. May we look beyond surface impressions to find nourishment for our faith.Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word
Ezekiel recounts his calling in today’s first reading, relating that God told him bluntly that a prophet’s audience is obstinate and rebellious. Paul tells of hardships of his own but insists that they provide oppor tunities for Christ’s power to strengthen him. The people of Nazareth take offense at Jesus, unwilling to accept that this local carpenter could teach them about God. Let us be attentive to God’s voice, both here and wherever we hear it.Reflections
- A prophet has been described as someone who comforts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. It is no surprise then, that many would resist, as they did after Ezekiel spoke out. No matter how much or how little we do to bear witness to the gospel, we tend to feel that we are doing well enough. We don’t want to hear that we need to carry our cross, or be more selfless, or change our lifestyle, or do more for those in need. We have grown comfortable with the way we live our life. When we receive reproof from the prophetic voices we hear, let us react not with obstinacy of heart, but recognize this as guidance for what God calls us to be and heed their warnings.
- Saul, persecutor of Christians, seemed to be comfortable in that role, right up until he received a jolt on his way to Damascus. Now, as Paul, apostle to the Gentiles, he speaks of an affliction—“a thorn in the flesh”—that bedevils him (2 Corinthians 12:7). Three times he begged the Lord for relief, but the Lord told him that “power is made perfect in weakness” (12:9). Like Jesus himself, who by becoming flesh made himself weak, who also begged his Father three times (in Gethsemane) to be released from his suffering, who in the end triumphed over sin and death by submitting himself to the cross, Paul realizes that by enduring “weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints” he is made strong (12:10).
- Last week we heard of two people with exceptionally strong faith: Jairus, whose daughter was near death, and a woman who had been afflicted for twelve years with an incurable, untreatable condition. In the course of curing each, Jesus told both how vital each one’s faith was: “Your faith has saved you,” “Do not be afraid; just have faith” (Mark 5:34, 36). Today we hear Mark write that in his native place, Jesus “was amazed by their lack of faith” (6:6). Therefore, he was not able to cure more than a few. Faith in God is essential to the healing grace we receive.
Question of the Week
How do I react when someone criticizes or challenges me? Do I dismiss their words at once? How can I prayerfully consider their criticism or advice?
-from Pastoral Patterns
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readings of the mass
LISTEN HERE to the Audio Recordings of the Readings of Sunday, July 7, 2024
SELECT HERE for the Readings of Sunday, July 7, 2024
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Offerings
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Reflections on the readings
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