14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 7, 2024

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What damage lack of understanding does, either to me or by me

Mark 6:1–6

Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples.

When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing?

Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.”

He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them.

He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Music Meditations

Opening Prayer

Reflection on Psalm 123:4,5:

“Have mercy on us Lord, have mercy on us, for we are filled with contempt; our souls are more than sated with the mockery of the arrogant, with the contempt of the proud…” Lord, save us from ourselves, from our cynicism about the motives of others, and our lack of faith in the goodness and kindness of others. May we use your example of rejection by your friends and family to increase our patience and understanding of these closest to us—to avoid dismissing them and their ideas out of hand, and to avoid giving up when we are not always appreciated by those closest to us.

Companions for the Journey

From “First Impressions”, a service of the Southern Dominican Province:

Most people are not very knowledgeable about Israel’s history, nor can they name the great kings who ruled and misruled. But, I bet even these non-Bible readers can name at least a few of the prophets. The prophets have made their mark on the formation of God’s people through the centuries, right up to the present time. Today’s first reading narrates the call of the great prophet Ezekiel. Four times he tells about the occasions when God called him. All of these accounts tell of how God is sending him to preach to the hardhearted and rebellious Israelites. On our own we humans are not up to the important, and sometimes, life-threatening task of prophesying. But God’s call to Ezekiel and to the other prophets always includes help—big help!—the gift of God’s Spirit. Ezekiel tells with wonder of the moment when God gifted him: “the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet.” He’s not just talking about standing upright, is he? A prophet in any age, including our own, also needs the same life-giving and fortifying spirit Ezekiel received—to stand us up on our feet. When we are called upon to speak up for: the rights of others, conformity to God’s law and comfort for the afflicted, we need help, lest our own spirit shrink from the task. Being a prophet, even in the confines of our homes, workplace, church community, or civil setting, is a risky and, some would say, a foolish business. People don’t like to change their ways of acting and thinking and they don’t like the one calling them to make those changes.

Which takes us to today’s gospel. As I drive around our Texas roads and highways I see bumper stickers that say, “My boss is a Jewish carpenter”; church bulletin boards read, “Jesus saves!” Large billboards along the roads invoke the name of Jesus and make promises to those who believe in him. People all know something about Jesus; his reputation for cures, and his wise sayings. Statues and paintings depict him in both private and public places. It seems good that the one who was sent from God and was God-in-flesh is so much a part of our lives. We have many reminders of him. But there is a way he can be everywhere, but nowhere. Familiarity can breathe indifference. He can be so present that he just fits comfortably into the background of our lives, like wallpaper, our washing machine, the McDonald’s just a few blocks away, and our evening newscaster. We can say, as the people did in his native place, “Oh sure, we know Jesus. He’s one of us. He has been around for years.” In our “native place,” we have lots on our minds that take up our every waking moment. There is a danger that we miss Jesus’ among us, because he so familiar to us, so much part of the furnishings of our lives—and we have other things on our minds. Perhaps today’s gospel will open our eyes to what we are missing—whom we are missing. Notice the parallels to our own lives. Jesus returns to a place where people are very familiar with him. (“Sisters” and “brothers” may have been his cousins in the close knit community in which he was raised.) They know his trade, he’s the carpenter. They know he has done mighty deeds and is noted for his wisdom. Before he left to go preaching he was part of the local scene, someone they would have spoken with daily. Maybe he even repaired a roof, or made a chair for them. They probably even liked him.

But they weren’t willing to take the important next step—beyond familiarity, beyond knowing the facts about him. They weren’t willing to believe that, despite his most ordinary appearances and his, up till then, most ordinary life, that in Jesus, God had entered their lives. God was there ready to perform powerful deeds on their behalf, willing to share a wisdom with them they could not achieve on their own. What a difference it would have made had they accepted what he was bringing to them! They would have seen themselves and one another, as God-loved. They would have treated each other differently, the way Jesus treated people. They might have changed their priorities and not measured themselves, or others, by the size of their homes, property, or their standing in the community. Nothing would have been the same for them, because they would have known God, by knowing God in Jesus.

Maybe we can look again at the familiar billboard signs by the roadside—“Jesus saves”—and ask “From what?” Saves us from going down blind alleys. Saves us from aimlessness. Saves us from guilt and self-incrimination. Saves us from missing our God, who comes in the most everyday and ordinary ways to us—those familiar faces in our own “native place.”

Further reflection:

Weekly Memorization

Taken from the gospel for today’s session…

He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Living the Good News

What action can you take in the next week as a response to today’s reading and discussion?

Keep a private journal of your prayer/actions responses this week. Feel free to use the personal reflection questions or the meditations which follow:

Reflection Questions

  • Is there a real danger in “missing” Jesus because he and his story are so familiar to us that we fail to see what he is really telling us and mirroring for us?
  • Today, how do we rediscover Jesus in such a way that we hear his teaching with new ears, witness his mighty deeds with new eyes, and experience him with a new heart?
  • Mark seems to indicate that Jesus’ ability was affected by the lack of acceptance of the people.
    Do you think this is an accurate reading of what went in with Jesus in this instance?
    Can something like this happen in our own lives?
  • Who are the people that you hold in esteem?
    Do they have that position because of their talents?
    Because of what they have accomplished?
    Because you know their family?
  • Are there places in your life where people are performing well but are still not held in esteem?
    Has this ever been the case in your life?
    What does this gospel suggest to you?
  • Among those you hold in esteem, are there people who have behaviors sometimes contrary to the socially accepted norms?
    How is your perception of these people similar to the people of Nazareth described in the text?
    How is it different?
  • What can I do to avoid a belittling of the accomplishments of someone close to me because I am the tiniest bit jealous of what that person has achieved?
    What can I do to be more tolerant in my own circle of family and friends?
  • What effect did that have on you at the time?
    What did that experience teach you about yourself?
  • Some people say it is harder to be a practicing Christian in their own homes among family members, than in their workplace or among their friends. Why would this be so? (—Paul Gallagher, OFM and Nancy Greenfield)
  • Have I ever not said or not done what was right because I was afraid how others react?
    When have I had to do what I thought was right and found even those closest to me did not support me?
  • What “mighty deed” do I need in my life right now?
    Dare I ask from my faith for the next “mighty deed” Jesus can do for me?
    A more lively faith?
    Resolution of some conflict?
    Better listening skills?
    Less anxiety about the future, etc.?
  • Do I have faith enough to ask?
  • From Jude siciliano, O.P.:
    What must I do to make some room for Jesus to work a “mighty deed?”
  • From Paul Gallagher, OFM:
    Mark seems to indicate that Jesus’ ability was affected by the lack of acceptance of the people. How do you understand this aspect of the text?
    What does it suggest about how God is working in your life, your community and your world today?
    Do you get any insights from the fact that people, who knew Jesus and his family best, were not able to see in him anything beyond what they already knew?
  • From Paul Gallagher, OFM:
    I wonder who, in our parish, are those prophets trying to get a word from God to us?
    Are they the ones who: challenge our poorly prepared liturgies; complain about the preaching; insist on reaching out to the newcomers who make the regulars uncomfortable; ask why we aren’t making better use of the internet to reach people; visit the sick and speak words of comfort to them; diligently prepare and proclaim the scripture readings at our services, etc?

Meditations

A Meditation in the Dominican Style:

The Dominicans are known as the Order of Preachers. However, this reflection on how each of us is called to preach is worth praying about: A preaching student once wrote this for herself; she gave Father Jude, O.P., permission to share it. Write your own statement of how you want to preach as Jesus did.

Ministry Statement

As a preacher, I choose to respond affirmatively to God’s call
to proclaim the Good News with my entire being.
I trust that the people of God will assist me in this process.
I would like to be a preacher that is in touch with self, God and others
that listens attentively, even to the silence
that speaks words of comfort when needed
that gives voice to the needs of the voiceless
that studies, prays, and lives God’s Word
that simply tries to walk the talk
Or as Micah says it, that acts justly, loves tenderly and walks humbly with God
that dies gratefully and confidently having known and shared the love of God.
To be this kind of preacher I will need to
Prepare
Practice
Persevere
Put heads together
Pray
Place trust in self, God and others
Preach
Play
Peer creatively into the book of life
Paint with living words on the canvas of life.

—Jan Dworschak (Jan does ministry and preaching in the San Francisco area.)

A Meditation in the Ignatian Style/Imagination:

Freely adapted from “First Impressions 2024”, a service of the Southern Dominican Province:

I imagine that I am Jesus preaching in the synagogue, having returned back to my dusty little village after abruptly leaving a while ago, called by the Spirit to teach to comfort, to heal. I am met with a certain amount of resistance as I stand there in the synagogue. It is understandable, I suppose. A son is expected to follow in his father’s footsteps – but not go beyond them. If a boy’s father is a carpenter, then the son is to be one as well – but nothing more. It would seem that the people in the synagogue sort of recognize the wisdom I am speaking, and for a moment, I thought they would applaud. But they don’t.. After all, I am the carpenter, how could I be anything more? I did not fail to notice the off-handed insult: They call me Jesus, Mary’s son, not Joseph’s. In my culture, a son would be identified by his father, so they are suggesting some doubts about the true identity of my father. More scorn. It is subtle, but I feel it. The crowd is not very receptive to a local boy who seems to have gone beyond the expected limits. I bring them up short by telling them that it takes outsiders to see what the locals refuse to see. But it is really hard to be rejected by the people who know us the best. The people’s rejection of me has even limited my ability to perform powerful deeds among them. Their lack of faith means I will leave this place, since I am ineffective here.

Faith is a risky business and may require us to take unpopular positions. There are times when we may alienate even family and friends because our faith requires we speak up or take a stand. So we ask ourselves: Have I ever not said or not done what was right because I was afraid how others would react?
When have I had to do what I thought was right and found even those closest to me did not support me?
I share those moments with Jesus.

A Meditation in the Franciscan Style/Action:

Adapted from Songs of Life: Psalm Meditations from the Catholic Community at Stanford (2004):

I make an inventory of the gifts and talents that I possess. Realizing that my gifts and talents are not given to me for my benefit alone, I resolve to give freely something of myself to someone else this week. It could be help to someone who is struggling with anxiety, visiting someone who is ill or lonely. It could be a trip home to visit with a family member who is lonely, but difficult to take. In deciding what to use my particular talents for, I choose generosity of spirit, forgiveness and kindness over retaliation and envy.

A Meditation in the Augustinian Style/Relationship:

Adapted from “First Impressions”, a service of the Southern Dominican Province:

It is hard to be rejected by the people who know us the best.

Some people say it is harder to be a practicing Christian in their own homes among family members, than in their workplace or among their friends. “My kids won’t listen to me.” “My brothers and sisters think I am a religious nut.” “My wife refuses to come to church with me.” – and so it goes. “A prophet is not without honor except in his/her native place.” We are reminded of Ezekiel. If prophets, whether in the civic or domestic arena, can expect hard times and even rejection, then we need to implore God for the gift of the Spirit, to “set” us on our feet, so we can live faithful lives in our land of exile – and more – so we can sustain other exiles in their search for God and their desire to do God’s will. Take some time this week to talk to Jesus about this.

Poetic Reflection:

It wasn’t only the people of Nazareth who failed to heed the word of Jesus; we have all been guilty:

Slowly, slowly
Comes Christ through the garden
Speaking to the sacred trees
Their branches bear his light
Without harm

Slowly, slowly
Comes Christ through the ruins
Seeking the lost disciple
A timid one
Too literate
To believe words
So he hides
Christ rises on the cornfields
It is only the harvest moon
The disciple
Turns over in his sleep
And murmurs:
“My regret!”

The disciple will awaken
When he knows history
But slowly, slowly
The Lord of History weeps into the fire

—Thomas Merton “Cables to the Ace” (stanza 80)

Poetic Reflection:

Father Michael Kennedy, S.J., delivers an interesting take on today’s gospel story:

“Our Astonishment Arouses Anger”
(14th Sunday Ordinary time)

People-watching is
Not only fun it is wonderfully
Informative if you take in the
Environment surrounding those
Who are being observed for their
Behavior can be directly affected
By the whole scene and not just
By the internal engine
Moving the people
Across the screen
Of the watcher

It is especially
Interesting when someone
Known by others nearby is easily
Dismissed as not being extraordinary
Enough to be considered someone
To be honored or believed as if He
Is more than just common and
Soon His motives are
Suspect and seen to
Be an attempt to be
Bigger than His
Carpenter jeans

But the reaction of
The people in His hometown
Is not unusual at all for we seem
To always doubt that miracles and
Divine activity could ever come
From the utterly common thing
Or Person and it is a way of not
Accepting the Truth if we will
Not admit that Grace enfleshes
The simple ordinary every day
And we often miss it as we
Let our shallow awe not
Turn to faith but we see
That our astonishment
Arouses anger

Closing Prayer

From “Sacred Space”, a service of the Irish Jesuits:

Lord, I pray that I may recognize your presence in the ordinary encounters of my day, and notice the ways through which you desire to nourish me and give me life, because you are present in all things. Help me to see the depths in each of those I encounter, those I think I know very well, that only you can glimpse. Help me to be open to others.