Sunday, July 8, 2012
Ezekiel 2:2-5 2 Corinthians 12: 7-10 Mark 6: 1-6
In the first reading, the Lord called on Ezekiel to prophesy to an inhospitable people, the Israelites, who had rebelled against God. They were hard of heart and obstinate. These brief lines provide us with some food for thought. When and where have we been hard of heart and obstinate in our relationships with God and with others? Do we listen to the everyday “prophets” around us who try to guide us in our daily lives? Or do we insist on doing it our own way, even when it is not working for us. When guidance is offered to us, do we let pride get in our way?
In Corinthians, the message is that God’s love and grace give us what we need in spite of our weakness. We are reminded in this passage that when we are at some of our lowest points in our lives, God’s grace can turn our weaknesses into strengths. This takes unwavering faith that God will give us what we need and not so much what we want. In the Our Father, we pray, “Thy will be done.” Do we mean those words? We must remain open to God’s grace and love.
In the Gospel of Mark, we see Jesus teaching in the synagogue and his message was not being accepted by those hearing it. Those in his native place rejected what Jesus said to them. As it was with the Israelites, they were obstinate and hard of heart. Rather than hear the Good News, those present in the synagogue that day took offense at what Jesus presented and “Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith.” Do we sometimes take offense with Jesus’ message for ourselves thus demonstrating our own weakness of faith? Perhaps the message is not what we want to hear. Can we be open to the possibility that God knows what is best for us and if we trust in his message, we may grow in our relationship with Him.
As we continually reflect on these three passages this week, how might they change the way we interact with those we encounter daily in our work? How will they impact our mission here St. Mary’s Hospital and D’Youville Pavilion? Can we help someone along their journey in some small way so they may experience God’s love and grace? Let us strive to be a hospitable people. There are hearts waiting to be softened.
Dan Doyon
Pastoral Care
Tags: 14th sunday of ordinary time, 2 corinthians 12, chaplain, first reading, Gospel, mark 6, pastoral care, St. Mary's Health System, st. mary's regional medical center, sunday reading, Sunday Scribes
