Daily Readings - Sun Jul 07 2024
Ezekiel
3He said: "Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day.4The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Say to them, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says.'5And whether they listen or fail to listen-for they are a rebellious house-they will know that a prophet has been among them.
2 Corinthians
7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from 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 about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Mark
1Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples.2When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed.3"Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him.4Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor."5He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.6And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
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.