Fourteenth Sunday of Ordinary Time July 04, 2021
Ezekiel 2:2-5; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-6
During the second month of college, the professor gave his students a pop quiz. All were conscientious students and had breezed through the questions until the last one: 'What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?' Surely this was some kind of joke. We had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired, and in her 50s, but how would one know her name? We handed in the paper, leaving the last question blank. Just before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. 'Absolutely,' said the professor. 'In your careers, you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello.' No one has ever forgotten that lesson. We also learned her name was Dorothy.
“And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them.” (Mark 6:5). This is one of the most shocking statements in all the Gospels – that Jesus could not perform miracles. Not that he would not but that he simply could not. Is anything impossible with Jesus? Today’s gospel says yes. It is impossible for Jesus to perform miracles in a situation where there is no faith. Jesus could do all things and wants to do all things for his people. But he needs our faith to release his power.
As we read in the story, we take people for granted. In other words, familiarity breeds contempt is the term that accurately summarizes the return of Jesus to his home town Nazareth. His ministry was in fact a very successful one. He was accepted as a preacher, teacher, and healer and people flocked around him all the time. His popularity had spread all over the place and gospels tell us that he did not even have time to eat or sleep. Yet when he taught in the synagogue of Nazareth, the reaction was very hostile towards him. Do you sometimes wonder at God’s silence and apparent inactivity in a world or corruption and injustice? But the really amazing thing, as far as Jesus is concerned, is the lack of faith among his people. “And he was amazed at their unbelief” (Mark 6:6). When we blame God for doing nothing while we suffer all things here below, does God perhaps blame us for our unbelief that has made it impossible for Him to act?
Today’s three readings from the Holy Scriptures echo the Christian virtues of obedience, servitude, and humility that should be part of every Christian life. The First Reading from the Book of Ezekiel, begins with the powerful vision granted to the prophet while he was living with the exiles in Babylonia. Through the vision, he learns of the rebellion of people and their disloyalty to God. He is called upon to tell the people of the security they have to look for in their God who will be their protector.
In the Second Reading, Paul tells of the real danger even in serving God where the virtue of obedience can make a person proud and self-sufficient. As we mature in Christ, by the grace of God the Father and the power of the Holy Spirit, we gain greater understanding and knowledge of the spiritual mysteries of Christ and his mystical Body. We are called to always remember that if our spiritual work shines in inspiration it is because we have the gift of teaching.
Today’s gospel is a sad story of people who met Jesus and left without a blessing. As we meet Jesus today in his word and in the sacraments let us resolve not to leave without a blessing. Let us renew our faith in him.
Thanks Br..for good reflections.
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