Texts taken from the Missalette “On Your Word” July-August 2024

14th Sunday in Ordinary Time (B)
2nd week, psalter week

FIRST READING

From the book of the prophet Ezekiel (Ez 2:2-5)
In those days, a spirit entered into me and made me stand on my feet, and I heard the one who was speaking to me. He said to me: “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a race of rebels who have rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day. And the sons are obstinate and stubborn of heart. I am sending you to them, and 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.” - The word of God.

Commentary on the first reading

Every person wishes to pass on to others the truths they have learned and consider important, so that sharing them may create a communion of purpose. This happens in every sphere, including the religious sphere, where those who proclaim fundamental truths deeply desire to find an open environment and people attentive to what is communicated with love. This was not the case for the prophet Ezekiel, sent to convey God's word to those described with expressions ranging from hardness of heart that prevents them from listening to rebellion against God himself, as “stubborn sons.” For this reason, the prophet, as a “son of man,” needs God's encouragement and stimulus to fulfill a mission that seems unlikely to produce certain results. At the same time, a question arises: what is the point of going and speaking if rejection is certain? The answer lies in the fact that what matters is not the results, but Ezekiel himself, as a witness who makes God himself present. By identifying himself as a prophet with the expression: “Thus says the Lord,” they could no longer accuse God of having abandoned them. 

SECOND READING

From the second letter of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians (2 Cor 12:7-10)
Brothers and sisters, so that I might not become too elated, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from becoming 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 therefore boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and distresses for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong. - The word of God.

Commentary on the second reading

Paul was called to proclaim the Gospel to the Gentiles in difficult environments. Hence the desire to be enriched with special graces so that he could better carry out the task entrusted to him. But this can be a deception, because one who is endowed with gifts may feel superior, become presumptuous, and no longer be able to distinguish their human reality from that enriched by the Lord's gifts. Even those who welcome the Gospel may become fascinated by the evangelizer's person, to the point of considering the man more important than love and fidelity to Christ. For this reason, the passage in question presents an unusual perspective, affirming that the weaker the apostle is, the more clearly the greatness and power of God become visible. Paul asked for the thorn in the flesh to be taken away because he saw it as an obstacle to his apostolate. In reality, it was the most favorable condition for his apostolate to be brought to perfect fulfillment. Indeed, God's power cannot unfold its potential or achieve all its effects except through the weakness of the human person as an apostolic instrument.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to Mark (Mk 6:1-6)
At that time, Jesus 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. He went around to the villages in the vicinity teaching. - The Gospel of the Lord.

Commentary on the Gospel of the day

It is not Jesus' wisdom or miracles that trouble the people of Nazareth, but their origin, since they come from someone well known and familiar to them. On the one hand, they cannot deny what Jesus has done, while on the other hand Jesus is one of them. They cannot reconcile these two aspects, which seem contradictory, and so they take offense. Every prophet, called and sent by God, has a privileged relationship with the Lord and can speak of what they have experienced, seen, and understood. As a human being, however, the prophet is marked by weakness, poverty, and limitation, living like everyone else in a relationship of friendship and fraternity with other people. In the person of the prophet, the human element is joined to the divine without being confused with it. Yet this very connection is surprising to the point of being rejected, since we are accustomed to separating God's world from the human world. Accepting the prophet means welcoming God who draws near and makes himself present. Through the prophet, and all the more through the Son, the Lord becomes human while remaining God, speaking and acting through the characteristics proper to a human being, who is not spared hardship and misunderstanding.