They took offense at him

by Gerry Palermo, posted in Uncategorized

Jesus at Nazareth Temple

Greetings on this the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Readings: Ez 2:2-5; Ps 123:1-2, 2, 3-4; 2 Cor 12:7-10; Mk 6:1-6

Limiting the Lord

It is often a theme in sacred Scripture that we have a tendency to limit the Lord. We have become hard of face and obstinate of heart, rebellious, for a variety of reasons. Yet this hardness is harmful to ourselves most of all. The Lord makes clear he never abandons us but, again free-will, he will not impose a solution.

I can agree in my own life that the Lord never fails to invite relation, resolution and reconciliation. And to personalize this verse: And whether I heed or resist—for I am are a rebellious house—I shall know that a prophet has been among me.

Consider the limits we put on Jesus in the gospel portion today. 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.

Summary

Listen and heed the voice of the Lord. From our LOTH for Sunday Week II.

I will sprinkle clean water over you to make you clean; from all your impurities and from all your idols I will cleanse you. I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put my spirit within you so that you walk in my statutes, observe my ordinances, and keep them. You will live in the land I gave to your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God (Ez 36:25-28).

The Oils of the Sacraments – the miracles of Jesus

Reflection

It seems odd but very real that we limit the Lord. Why do I say no to Jesus? So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there. My friend Father Duffy uses the responsorial psalm as the answer – arrogance. It’s amazing. They didn’t disagree with him necessarily but just didn’t want to hear it from him. Contempt of his station. Contempt of his profession. Contempt of his meek Mother.

Have pity on us, O LORD, have pity on us, [BECAUSE] we are more than sated with contempt; our souls are more than sated with the mockery of the arrogant, with the contempt of the proud.

Eek!

Personal Reflection

Mockery, arrogance and contempt are in fact key attributes of the modern persona we have rewarded in the nation. How can it be otherwise that we fall into the same trap when we put on a pedestal a man who routinely mocks everyone, is exceedingly arrogant and absolutely contemptuous of the rule of law and our governing documents. YET he mocks ever more so by sheathing himself in these honored same things of constitution, rule of law and decorum.

We have gone from a vision of a Great Society to a negative view of the world. It will be inevitable that, Jesus will be unable 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. Pretend faith a plenty.

I identify with St Paul in my own arrogance. I am grateful for the constant reminders I am not as much as my own ego would believe. I would prefer to be made anew, completely and permanently. Until then, I risk the honest assessment of reality puts me in danger of my arrogance.

  • Renew my spirit, O Lord.
  • Replace my flesh, dear Lord.

Sacred Scripture

Full link: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/070724.cfm

First Reading

But you shall say to them: Thus says the LORD GOD! And whether they heed or resist—for they are a rebellious house—they shall know that a prophet has been among them.

Responsorial

Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.

Have pity on us, O LORD, have pity on us,
for we are more than sated with contempt;
our souls are more than sated
with the mockery of the arrogant,
with the contempt of the proud.

Second Reading

I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. 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 Acclamation

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.

Gospel

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.

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry

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