July 9, 2006
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Father Ernest Daly, LC
Mark 6:1-6
Jesus departed from there and 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.
Introductory Prayer: Lord, thank you for this
Sunday, the day we celebrate your Resurrection. I believe that you
walk with us, Lord. I believe that you come into our synagogue
today and bring your message of salvation. I trust that you will
guide me to greater light today. Thank you for coming to look for
me.
Petition: Lord, help me to have an open heart and
will to your message
1. God Can Surprise Us.
Jesus was well known in Nazareth -- or so they thought. But there
was something they had never seen in him; they never saw the power
of God in him. He was too ordinary. Our life can seem too ordinary
to us sometimes. We may not recognize the voice of God when he
calls to us, when he asks for a deeper faith and commitment to him.
We may not recognize him speaking through the example and words of
others. We may not shake off our routine and truly listen to the
Word of God. We can learn from the surprise the people of Nazareth
showed at Jesus true identity, as it will help us to be more alert
to Gods surprises.
2. And They Took Offense at
Him. Jesus can offend us. He came to shake up certainties
about the closeness of God. God becomes uncomfortably close in
Jesus. He knows all about us. He grew up with us: he knows our
whole history, our weaknesses and our inadequacies. He expects much
more of us than what we have given up to now. I need to let God
challenge me every day. Only in that way can I really discover
Jesus, the miracle-maker. Only in that way can I work with him to
change myself and the world around me.
3. He was Amazed at Their Lack
of Faith. What is there in my life that I think Jesus
cannot touch, cannot change? Am I willing to humbly present them to
Jesus each day so that he can slowly transform me? Do I try to use
my spiritual commitments to grow in faith? Do I trust in Christ? If
not, I need to have greater trust in Christ. He wants to make me
into a saint. He wants to change this world. He can. I simply have
to put my trust in him.
Dialogue with Christ: Lord, you surprised us most
with the Resurrection. Today we celebrate this surprise. You have
shown me that you can overcome any obstacle. I know that you want
to show your power in me. Help me to believe in you more today. Let
me show others the confidence and joy that you bring. Your power is
present in my soul, Lord. Help me discover the signs of your
Resurrection. Thank you for all you are doing in my life.
Resolution: Today I will make an extra act of
charity for my family.