July 05, 2009 14th Ordinary Sunday of the Year Ez. 2:2-5; 2 Cor. 12:7-10; Mk. 6:1-6 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________   Readings:  http://www.usccb.org/nab/readings/070509.shtml                 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________     Today’s readings sketch the profile of a messenger of God, someone called from the group to speak God’s word to that group. They also describe the rejection that these messengers had to endure. Those chosen by God are compelled by the force of their call; those to whom they are sent respond: Who does he think he is?   The biblical prophets were always members of the community who were called by God to speak to that community. It was not difficult to accept them when their message was positive and affirming. But when they criticized the community and challenged it to repentance and reform, the messenger was often rejected along with the message. This was the case with both Ezekiel and Jesus. The prophetic mantle was, and continues to be, a heavy one to bear.   In other circumstances, we might be the ones who feel unappreciated, overlooked or actually rejected because of some ability we genuinely possess or some service we wish to offer. At such times, we might act as did Paul, begging God to remedy the situation. But such prayers are seldom answered as we would like, and so we too must rely on the divine promise: “My grace is sufficient for you.” If we accept that grace, we will discover the truth of that promise—God’s grace is indeed sufficient.   Jesus returns to his home town, is rejected by his family and proclaims, “A prophet is not without honour except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” A prophet speaks on behalf of God, as God’s messenger and on behalf of those who have no one to speak for them, giving a voice to the voiceless (for example, the widow, the orphan, the poor, the stranger in the land).   Jesus urged people to take a second look at their lives and embodied God’s mercy by associating with the marginal and suspect people of his day. Today's scripture readings are about being sent.  Not only that, they tell the story of how the Lord has placed an absolutely amazing amount of trust in us!  We know that the trust of God in us is great because we have been sent into a difficult world.  The world you and I must enter as representatives is a tough place.     <<   Previous: 13th Sunday of the Year  |   Next: 15th Sunday of the year >>     Go Back to SERMONS (Year B)