1ST READING
Prophets are sent to proclaim the Word of God, to ensure that the people do not forget His promises. The great challenge the prophets have always faced is the limited number of people willing to listen and respond to their words. The world distracts us with the lure of immediate pleasure and the joy of material possessions. These deaden our spirits and make it difficult for the Word of God to get through to us.
Ezekiel 2:2-5
2 As the Lord spoke to me, spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard the one who was speaking 3 say to me: Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day. 4 Hard of face and obstinate of heart are they to whom I am sending you. But you shall say to them: Thus says the Lord God! 5 And whether they heed or resist — for they are a rebellious house — they shall know that a prophet has been among them.
P S A L M
Psalm 123:1-2, 2, 3-4
R: Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.
1 To you I lift up my eyes who are enthroned in heaven — 2 as the eyes of servants are on the hands of their masters. (R) As the eyes of a maid are on the hands of her mistress, so are our eyes on the Lord, our God, till he have pity on us. (R) 3 Have pity on us, O Lord, have pity on us, for we are more than sated with contempt; 4 our souls are more than sated with the mockery of the arrogant, with the contempt of the proud. (R)
2ND READING
Paul admitted that he had moral struggles. Unlike St. Augustine 300 years later, he is not willing to reveal them to us. However, we take comfort at the fact that the greatest of saints also struggled morally. We should be grateful for the grace that God gives us to overcome them. When we struggle with our temptations, let us ask God to help us overcome them with His grace and blessing.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
7 Brothers and sisters: That I, Paul, might not become too elated, because of the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. 8 Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, 9 but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. 10 Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
GOSPEL
Jesus has difficulty speaking to those who have known Him all His life. It would be very hard for them to alter their knowledge of Him now that His ministry has begun. They remember Him as their neighbor. In the same way, we must allow the grace of God to prevail in our own lives and the lives of others. Let us never doubt His capacity to transform and redeem us.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me for he sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.
Mark 6:1-6
1 Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. 2 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! 3 Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and John and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 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.” 5 So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.
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