Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
† Sunday 9th July 2000
Theme: Jesus - the carpenter’s son turned Prophet.

The Prophet Ezekiel 2: 2 - 5
The human man of weakness, is filled with the spirit, and stands up to proclaim what God commands. “Whether they listen or not,” we are told, “the people will know there is a prophet among them.” This reading prepares us for the gospel today and the manifestation of Jesus as prophet.

Second Letter of Paul to the Corinthians 12 : 7 - 10
The very weakness of the Apostle Paul, the insults, hardships and persecutions he must endure for the sake of the gospel is set in contrast with the grace of God. As in the first reading today, Paul the man of weakness is filled with the Spirit. God’s Promise: “My grace is enough for you: my power is at its best in weakness,” allows Paul to make his special boast as the power of God overshadows him.

Gospel according to Mark 6 : 1 - 6
The local lad Jesus, doesn’t find acceptance among his neighbours when he begins to speak in the synagogue. “Where did the man get all this?” they ask, “What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him?” But in rejecting the teaching of Jesus, they will also miss out on that very wisdom that they recognised. They will not share the benefits of the healing that Jesus brings. So Jesus turns to those who will accept him in faith. Where do we stand, are we ready to accept Jesus the healer, and prophet?
© Peter Harrison 2000