FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, Independence Day
Also Read: Mass Readings for 04 July 2021
First Reading: Ezekiel 2: 2-5
“When he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me.” (2)
The message today is loud and clear – To speak the word of God to a rebellious people! -Whether they hear or not!!
Based on this premise, it is not difficult to understand why we face trials, today! The moment anyone tries to walk in the way of the Lord, he/she has to endure hardships and hurdles. But this is what we are called to do because we do not belong to the world. Therefore, we will not conform to this world though we are present here, now. We will be in the constant renewal of our minds. (Rom12:2)
For it is first and foremost our responsibility to walk in true faith. By our lives, we speak louder than any of our speeches! This concept is confirmed even as we read beyond the reading today! Though the words thrown at us may be like thorns and briers (6); we must not be dismayed or afraid. For it is the Lord who asks us to eat of the scroll of lamentations! (Ch.3.3) There is a Reason! The scroll is sweet as honey in my mouth!
Therefore be not afraid Little Children, out on the whole armor of God, in Christ Jesus! Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 123: 1-2, 2, 3-4
Our Soul has had more than its fill of the scorn of those who are at ease, of the contempt of the proud. (4) But we have sweetness in our mouth because we look to the hand of God as a maid looks at her mistress. (2)
Praise God!
Second Reading: Second Corinthians 12: 7-10
The Great Paradox
“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (8)
“Therefore I am content with weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” (9)
“Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” (10)
The greatest paradox of our Faith: “For whenever I am weak, then I am strong!” This is only possible if we live in Christ! That “messenger of Satan”(7) is a very present one for us, practicing Catholics today!! How often do we struggle first with our own doubts, fears, worries, lack of faith, lack of discretion et al? Then, adding to that there might be certain messengers from outside who suddenly appear with their thorns and briers. Well, this too is a very present problem for us today! These messengers could land surprisingly at our doorsteps or they might already be covertly living around us! Strange and scary!
But as we read today, there is no need to fear! Because: “Greater is he that is in me than the one in the world!” St. Paul testified earlier to us! So then, the Greatest Paradox of our lives in Faith bears absolutely True! Therefore we rejoice, Praise God! Amen!
Gospel: Mark 6: 1-6
Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown and among their own kin, and in their own house.” (4)
The Son of God was not respected in his own hometown!! Christ Jesus himself faced those messengers of satan, in his own life here on earth! And HE showed us the Way!
He did perform cures but “he could do no deed of power there” (5)
We are today placed in various positions and given varied responsibilities! We know all of this has a purpose! Then, if we are to face difficult situations in a Godly manner; we ought to submit to His ways! Christ did confront those “brood of vipers” too! But only in His time and place! Therefore, when we go to Him first and seek His Wisdom in all our endeavors we ought to find the solution to every problem, hurdle, or attack! Faith moves those mountains and loosens those little ribbons of stress and anxieties we tie around our own souls and spirits! -Quite ignorantly and unnecessarily!
“And he was amazed at their unbelief.” (6)
Jesus Christ would no deed of Power there, He left them at it! -Because of their unbelief! We are to proclaim His word at all times. It must be reciprocated by the others in a similar fashion or else we too can leave it to The LORD!
Amen! May we all have Peace and Conviction to proceed on our Faith Journey! Amen!
