July 7, 2024: Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Gospel: 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.

Reflection

The readings for this Sunday are familiar ones and ones I have always found fruitful for reflection. If we see beyond a hurried reading, we recognize that this Gospel gives us insight into Jesus, into the Jewish people of Jesus’ time, as well as into the human condition.

There are several words and phrases that help us see into their hearts and minds — amazed, astonished, taking offense. These listeners move from being amazed and marveling at Jesus’ wisdom and deeds to taking offense at his lineage and prophetic words.

These thoughts and emotional states also occur in our own daily lives and can evoke similar thoughts and actions. What is important is how we react? Do these feelings bring us to compassion, to generosity, and perhaps to action for the betterment of our community?

We might look at the reaction of Paul in our second reading. In his feelings of elation for the blessings he has received, he recognized his weaknesses as well, and accepted that these very weaknesses brought him to a deeper understanding of the workings of God. We can do likewise.

Action

Our emotions and the reactions that follow are normal experiences of our human condition. We can be grateful for them and perhaps take time to look deeper into our motivations and how God is leading us to acceptance and to growth.