FIRST READING
Ezekiel 2:2–5
As the LORD spoke to me, the spirit entered into me and 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.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 123:1–2, 2, 3–4 (2cd)
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
To you I lift up my eyes who are enthroned in heaven— as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
As the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the LORD, our God, till he have pity on us.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
Have pity on us, O LORD, have pity on us, for we are more than sated with contempt; our souls are more than sated with the mockery of the arrogant, with the contempt of the proud.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
SECOND READING
2 Corinthians 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.
ALLELUIA
see Luke 4:18
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Mark 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.
REFLECTIONS:
Are you critical towards others, especially those
close to you? The most severe critics are often people very familiar to
us, a family member, close relative, neighbor, or worker we rub shoulders
with on a regular basis. Jesus faced a severe testing when he returned
to his home town where he had grown up. Everyone in Nazareth knew him as
the town carpenter, and they knew his mother and relatives as well. Jesus
now returns as a rabbi (a master teacher) along with a group of his disciples.
It would have been customary for Jesus to go to a local synagogue each
week on the Sabbath day (Saturday) to pray with his fellow Jews, and when
his turn came, to read from the scriptures during the Sabbath service.
His hometown folks began to listen with rapt attention on this occasion
because they had heard about the miracles he had performed in other towns.
They marveled at Jesus' explanation of the scriptures and wondered what
sign or miracle he might do for them. But as soon as Jesus began to prophesy
and give a warning that no prophet or servant of God would receive honor
among his own people, they took offense at him (Mark 6:3).
Why were they offended by Jesus' word to them? Did they find his message
and warning too much to bear? They despised Jesus and his warning for them
because he was a carpenter by trade, a layman who did not hold a public
office or ruling position in Israel like the scribes and the Pharasisees
who sat on the "seat of Moses" (Matthew 23:2). Where did Jesus get his
wisdom and authority to speak in the name of God? Jesus' authority did
not come from man but from his Father in heaven. When Jesus was baptized
by John in the River Jordan, the Spirit of God annointed him with divine
power and authority to carry out the mission entrusted to him by his Father,
who spoke audibly, "Behold, my Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to
him" (Mark 1:9-11; Luke 3:21-22) Familiarity with one's acquanitances can
easily lead to contempt and jealousy when we feel diminished by their advancement
in position or authority. Don't we fell tempted to look down on those who
rise above us in prestige or power? Our sinful nature likes to compare
ourselves with others, especially among the people we know and relate with.
Our sinful "flesh" wants to hold them in contempt and anger when they rise
above us, or express a position which is contrary to our own point of view.
Mark tells us that Jesus marveled because of the unbelief of
the townspeople he grew up with! They didn't simply question Jesus' authority
to teach and speak in God's name, they rejected it outright! Luke tells
us in his Gospel account that the people were so upset and angry with Jesus
that they wanted to kill him (Luke 4:29-30). Jesus' message of repentance
and belief in the good news of the coming reign of God's kingdom fell on
deaf ears because the people were too set in their own ways of thinking.
They had failed to heed the words of the prophets in the Old Testament
(the Jewish Bible) who not only spoke in God's name, but also prophesied
the coming of God's annointed Messiah and Savior for Israel. Now they reject
Jesus, whom the Father sent in his name, to redeem them from their sinful
ways and stubborn pride. They disbelieved in Jesus' claim to act and speak
on God's behalf, and they drove Jesus out of their lives and town altogether.
That is why Jesus did no mighty works in Nazareth. Mark tells us that Jesus
only healed a few of his townspeople who put their faith in him. Do you
recognize and believe that Jesus is the annointed One sent by the Father
to redeem and deliver us from death and destruction? The Father has given
all authority to his Son, the Lord Jesus who came to set us free from sin
and oppression. Jesus not only pardon our sins and releases us from guilt
and condemnation. He also heals and transforms us to be a people who share
in God's own glory, mercy, and loving kindness.
The word "gospel" literally means "good news". Isaiah had prophesied
that the Messiah would come in the power of the Holy Spirit to bring freedom
to those oppressed by sin and evil in the world (see Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus
came to free us from the worst tyranny possible slavery to our own sinful
passions and hurtful desires. God's power alone can save us from depair,
fear, and destruction. The gospel of Jesus Christ is "good news" for all
who hunger for abundant life and peace with God. Do you know the joy, victory,
and freedom which the Lord Jesus has won for you?
"Lord Jesus, your word is truth and life for me. Set my heart free to
love you above all else as my Lord and Redeemer. And fill me with the joy
and power of the Holy Spirit that I may love and serve my neighbor with
the same kindness and mercy you have shown me."
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