FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR B

Ezekiel 2:2- 5

Psalm 122

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Mark 6:1-6

A THORN IN MY FLESH

It can be observed that messages urging conversion, truth, justice, peace, freedom, etc. are often met with resistance, hostility, hatred and rejection. The advocates of these values often suffer threats, persecutions and violent deaths. This reality is more evident in the lives of the prophets and men of God.

In the first reading, Ezekiel is warned in a vision that he would meet with resistance from the rebellious House of Israel, his own people to whom he was sent as a prophet (Ez. 2:2-5). In the Gospel, Jesus comes to Nazareth, his hometown. But while the other towns hailed him for his miracles and powerful preaching, the people of Nazareth took offense at him, because they thought they knew him and his family background. Hence, he said: “A prophet is not without honour except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home” (Mark 6:1-6).

St Paul’s words in the second reading are excerpted from the so-called “letter in tears”, in which he defends the authenticity of his ministry and appeals to the Corinthians who had been seduced by eloquent ecstatic speeches of some other apostles. Paul was therefore facing challenges related to his ministry. Nevertheless, he expresses his joy in bearing with his weaknesses, hardships and persecutions for the sake of his mission as a preacher, for God’s grace is sufficient for him (2 Cor. 12:7-10).

Two lessons may therefore be drawn from today’s readings. First, they remind us of the unhappy lots that await us for the fact that we are Christians, called to be prophets. We may be humiliated, ill-treated and ridiculed whenever we stand for the truth, justice and peace. Also, there are times when we may be afraid or feel incompetent, inadequate for the mission entrusted to us. But we are not to be discouraged, for the Lord’s grace is sufficient for us and his power is made perfect in weakness.

Second, we are invited to examine ourselves if we do not act sometimes like the Israelites, the Corinthians or the people of Nazareth: Do we hate people who stand for justice, truth, peace, and freedom? Are we so lacking in faith that Jesus cannot act powerfully in our lives?

May the Lord grant us the sufficient grace so that we may not despair but persevere in face of our own shortcomings and amidst challenges and hostilities. Amen.