photo taken 2005spicebushbutterfly

 

july 9 2006

Ez 2:2-5 As the LORD spoke to me, the spirit entered into meand 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 ancestors 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.

2 Cor 12:7-10 Brothers and sisters:That I, Paul, might not become too elated, because of the abundance of the revelations, 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.

Mk 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.
Today's liturgy is one that has the readings tightly interwoven all building a message together. The reading from the Hebrew testament tells of a people with hard faces and obstinate hearts. Times have changed but in these respects things are still the same. The people of God are called to pronounce and proclaim the Word of God to those with hard faces and obstinate hearts. Then it is up to the resistant ones to turn to God in love or not with their free will to be one of God's chosen people or reject the freely offered grace and love.

In the second reading Paul speaks of his sufferings to the Corinthians. He reflects that when he is weak he is strong. The endurance of love and humility rewards those who walk in God's ways and struggle to be in God's light. There is no obstacle too great if the heart and mind are in truth and the light of Christ. With God all things are possible. Sufferings are not removed with faith but opportunies for growth in strength and love. In weaknest or lowest points there opening areas of tremendous growth and change for fuller life in Christ

Finally, in the Gospel Jesus is not respected in his own land and restricted in what he can do. It reminds me that if Jesus can be challenged and disrespected and struggle and suffer...who am I to want to reject this cup. In embracing the struggle there is new life and insight. If done for love, many things turn from evil to good and from pointless to fruitful. Jesus was truly as the medieval scultptures depicted him a Man of Sorrows out of love and goodness. To want a perfect painfree struggle free world is to miss some of the opportunities that temper our nature and selves to give a fuller life and being that can go beyond self in fuller love in Christ.