Daily Readings - Sun Jul 07 2024
Ezekiel
3And he said to me, "Son of man, I send you to the people of Israel, to nations of rebels, who have rebelled against me. They and their fathers have transgressed against me to this very day.4The descendants also are impudent and stubborn: I send you to them, and you shall say to them, 'Thus says the Lord GOD.'5And whether they hear or refuse to hear (for they are a rebellious house) they will know that a prophet has been among them.
2 Corinthians
7So to keep me from being too elated by the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from being too elated.8Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me.9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.10For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Mark
1He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him.2And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, "Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands?3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.4And Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household."5And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them.6And he marveled because of their unbelief.And he went about among the villages teaching.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter powerful themes of divine call, strength through weakness, and perseverance amidst rejection. Ezekiel is summoned by God to prophesy to the Israelites, despite their hardness of heart, emphasizing the importance of faithful obedience even when faced with resistance. In 2 Corinthians, Paul shares his personal struggle with a "thorn in the flesh," teaching us that true strength lies not in our own abilities but in God's grace, which is sufficient for all our needs. The Gospel of Mark illustrates Jesus facing skepticism in His hometown, yet He continues His mission, demonstrating that God's work is not hindered by human doubt.
These readings interweave to remind us that our weaknesses and challenges are opportunities for God's power to shine through. Ezekiel's call and Paul's thorn highlight the transformative power of trusting in God's plan, even when circumstances seem unfavorable. Jesus' experience in His hometown underscores the reality that our faith may not always be accepted, but this should not deter us from our mission.
In our daily lives, let us embrace these lessons with humility and trust. When facing rejection or difficulty, may we find strength in God's grace, recognizing that our weaknesses are avenues for His strength. Let us continue to serve and share God's message with perseverance, trusting that His power will overcome any obstacle.