Daily Readings for July 8, 2018

1st READING 

We miss an opportunity to do God’s will when we fail to listen to the modern-day prophets in the Church. We need to be vigilant and discern the next moment of grace from God. Ezekiel knows his mission is a roller-coaster ride of faith. He clearly hears God’s Word and responds to it; he takes this moment of grace to be an instrument for God’s Kingdom.

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 fathers 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

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 has 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

What do you think is Paul’s “thorn in the  flesh”? Paul’s suffering does not lead him to doubt his Christian beliefs but it seems to cause him consternation. As disciples of Jesus, let us persevere through both the good and bad experiences.

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

The crowd was amazed by the wisdom of Jesus. What was it about the way He preached that the people responded to enthusiastically? Our Church needs more of Jesus’ brand of preaching to renew and revitalize the faithful. Let us pray that the Holy Spirit empower us to help renew the Church.

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 Joses 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.