Marveled because of Their Unbelief
Scripture: Mark 6:1-6
Introduction: May you continue to be open to those who faithfully proclaim GOD’s message to you and to the world.
A teacher asked if any of the students in the class knew what a prophet was. Many children voiced their opinions, but none clearly grasped the meaning of a prophet. Finally, one boy spoke up and said, “It is when you buy something for a nickel and sell it for a dime.” Obviously he mistakenly thought the question was speaking of “profit” not “prophet.”
Many adults are also not clear on the concept of what a prophet is. Some people believe that a prophet’s main function is to forecast the future. Yet the concept of a prophet is to be a spokesperson for another, primarily for GOD. A prophet is challenged to speak GOD’s Word to others, and in doing so, she/he has to address those who are not fully living out GOD’s plan. Prophets, like other messengers, are often attacked because of the message they present. It is not their own word they preach, but GOD’s word, and since their opponents are not willing to hear GOD’s Word, and cannot directly attack GOD, they take out their resentment on the messenger. Now, how many want to volunteer to be a prophet?
First Reading reading, Ezekiel 2:2-5 These rebels shall know that there is a prophet among them
Commentary: This is the story of the call of Ezekiel to be a prophet. There is an obvious parallel between the rejection of Ezekiel as a prophet and the rejection of Jesus by his own people of Nazareth. A prophet is not simply someone who foretells the future. The task of a prophet is to tell people how God sees things, for the prophet sees things as God sees them. This directness of vision is not always popular, for we don’t always like being told home truths about ourselves. The truth about ourselves is often unwelcome, particularly when it involves criticism and demands change. Ezekiel was sent to the people of Israel, exiled in Babylon, to encourage them and tell them that, despite their disastrous losses, all was not lost. The hope of Israel was in them, rather than in the remnant left in Jerusalem. They were ‘stubborn and obstinate’ and refused to listen. We are prepared to listen to criticisms of others merrily enough, and agree heartily. However, the word of God often comes to us in ways that we do not recognize, criticisms of ourselves, perhaps spoken in anger, or only 95% true, but no less a valid criticism for that.
Responsorial Psalm 123: Our eyes are on the Lord till he show us his mercy.
The psalm describes two key aspects of one who is called by GOD to be a servant of the LORD. First, there is a need to keep one’s eyes focused on the LORD GOD. The second, that being faithful to GOD will result in being held in contempt by those who are acting against the will of GOD.
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; The Lord's power is at its best in weakness
Commentary: In this final part of the letter Paul is defending his apostolate against a rival group of preachers whom he caricatures as ‘super-apostles’. They claim to have authority greater than his. Paul replies by claiming that he is more fully a servant of the Lord Jesus. Most of his claim is an invaluable autobiographical sketch. He grounds his claim on three factors. First he outlines the sufferings and persecutions he has undergone in the service of Christ. Just as Jesus sees himself as the Suffering Servant of the LORD prophesied by Isaiah, so by his sufferings Paul sees himself as the servant of the Lord Jesus. Secondly, Paul speaks of his heavenly vision, the experience or revelation of ‘words that may not and cannot be spoken by any human being’, obviously the core-inspiration of his life. Thirdly, in this passage he stresses his own weakness, which makes him rely on God’s strength. What this weakness was, we do not know. Nor is its exact nature significant. The point is that it prevented Paul getting proud and made him rely on God’s strength to counteract it. We probably all need a whacking great fault or failure to curb our pride. I’d be too ashamed to tell you mine.
Gospel Mark 6:1-6; 'A prophet is only despised in his own country'
Commentary: The very last sentence of the reading speaks of their lack of faith. What was this lack of faith? They recognized in Jesus an extraordinary wisdom and a power of miracles, but this seems not to have been enough. What more was needed? Faith is not the acceptance of a set of propositions, ‘I believe that the earth circles the sun’, etc. It is putting all my trust in God as my only hope. Abraham, the model of faith, went out into the desert, leaving everything on which he relied, everything that made him what he was. He even trusted God to get him out of the unbearable fix when God told him to sacrifice his only son. The townsfolk of Nazareth presumably thought they knew Jesus through and through. They were prepared to acknowledge his wisdom and his miracles. But they were not prepared to go further and see that God was at work in him, that he was the manifestation of God among them. It is all very well to admire Jesus, to think him a fine teacher and a heroic, honourable man, who gave everything for his high ideals; but unless we see God in him, the divine transcendence of all that is human, he cannot work the miracle of taking us to himself.
A word is needed about the brothers and sisters of Jesus at Nazareth. Did Mary have other children? Was not her maternal love fully absorbed in her unique son, Jesus? The tradition is firm in the Church that Mary remained a virgin. Some guess that these brothers and sisters were Joseph’s children by a previous marriage, others that the words are used in a loose sense of close relations and companions even play-mates; the emphasis is on the ordinariness of the group, not on any blood-relationship.
Reflection: Are you critical towards others, especially those who may be close to you? The most severe critics are often people very familiar to us, a member of our family, a relative, or neighbor or co-worker we rub shoulders with on a regular basis. Jesus faced a severe testing when he returned to his home town, not simply as the carpenter's son, but now as a rabbi with disciples. It would have been customary for Jesus to go to the synagogue each week during the Sabbath, and when his turn came, to read from the scriptures during the Sabbath service. His hometown folks listened with rapt attention on this occasion because they had heard about the miracles he had performed in other towns. What sign would he do in his hometown?
Look upon your neighbor with the eyes of Christ who comes to heal and restore us
Jesus startled his familiar audience with a seeming rebuke that no prophet or servant of God can receive honor among his own people. The people of Nazareth took offense at Jesus and refused to listen to what he had to say. They despised his preaching because he was a mere workman, a carpenter, and a layman who had no formal training by a scholar or teacher. They also despised him because of his undistinguished family background. How familiarity can breed contempt. Jesus could do no mighty works in their midst because they were closed-minded and unbelieving towards him. If people have come together to hate and to refuse to understand, then they will see no other point of view than their own and they will refuse to love and accept others. How do you treat those who seem disagreeable to you?
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 the afflicted who suffered from physical, mental, or spiritual oppression (see Isaiah 61:1-2). Jesus came to set people free - not only from their physical, mental, and spiritual infirmities - but also from the worst affliction of all - the tyranny of slavery to sin, Satan, and the fear of losing one's life. God's power alone can save us from hopelessness, dejection, and emptiness of life. The Gospel of salvation is "good news" for everyone who will receive it. Do you know the joy and freedom of the Gospel?
"Lord Jesus, you are the fulfillment of all our hopes and desires. Your Spirit brings grace, truth, freedom, and abundant life. Set my heart on fire with your love and truth."
“follow the spirit’s lead” (gal 5:25)
“The Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet.” —Ezekiel 2:2
Are circumstances going poorly in your life? Are you being opposed by neighbors, co-workers or family members? (Mk 6:1-6) Are those with whom you live “hard of face” and “obstinate of heart”? (Ez 2:4) Are you weak? (2 Cor 12:9-10) Beg the Lord to pour out the Holy Spirit upon you (Rm 5:5)
When the Holy Spirit comes to us, we are strong (2 Cor 12:10). The Spirit enters into us and sets us on our feet (Ez 2:2). We are weak and simple children (2 Cor 12:9-10), but through the Holy Spirit’s gift of wisdom (Is 11:2), He is wise in us. The Holy Spirit makes the difference. The Spirit sets our feet on a rock (Ps 40:3). He gives us courage (2 Tm 1:7) and words to which no one can take exception (Lk 21:15).
The Church burst into the public arena when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles and disciples in the upper room (Acts 2:2ff). Walls, locked doors, and fear no longer restrain God’s people once they are filled with the Holy Spirit.
Therefore, beg the Lord for the Holy Spirit (Lk 11:13). Thirst for the Holy Spirit. Stir up the Holy Spirit (2 Tm 1:6-8). Then “follow the Spirit’s lead” (Gal 5:25).
Prayer: Father, Your Son told us to beg You to give us the Holy Spirit (Lk 11:13). I therefore ask You to pour out Your Spirit upon me and seal me in the Spirit (2 Cor 1:22) so I do not leak. Make me a vessel that serves You in all circumstances (2 Tm 2:21; Acts 20:32). “My grace is enough for you, for in weakness power reaches perfection.” —2 Cor 12:9. All praise be to You, risen Jesus. Thank You for lavishing the Spirit on me (Ti 3:6).
The personal action for today: What does it mean to me that I share in the “prophetic” mission of Jesus? What are my feelings when I think about the fact that I am called to speak GOD’s Word to others, even if they ridicule me? Who might benefit most from my being GOD’s spokesperson today? This week? How will I proclaim GOD’s Good News to that person (those persons)?