The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 9, 2006
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Ezekiel 2:2-5
Psalm 123:1-2, 2, 3-4
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Mark 6:1-6

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

How often we’re amazed when someone from our neighborhood achieves national prominence. We almost splutter, “But I knew him (or her) as a young kid in shorts. I had no idea she would end up as glamorous or famous.” And if we’re on a committee to select a speaker for some important occasion, we’re much more inclined to seek out someone far away. The inhabitants of Nazareth, especially his relatives, felt the same way about Jesus. “So, where did HE get all this knowledge?”

They didn’t put any faith in Him! Without an environment of faith, Jesus refused to perform miracles for their entertainment. He was not a magician! They were looking for a show, while Jesus wanted them to listen and believe in His Word. To act otherwise would be a betrayal of the power He shared with the Father.

How much was lost by the skeptical Nazarenes who were so lacking in faith! Like so many of us, they had already prejudged Jesus, dismissing Him with the too-easy judgment that they knew Him, and knew all they needed to know about Him.

Surely there are important lessons for us from this week’s readings. May we never be guilty of dismissing the Good News from our preachers, bishops, or Christ’s representative on earth, our pope. Despite their human flaws, Christ has chosen to speak through their words with His authority.

Msgr. Paul Whitmore
(pwhitmore29 at yahoo dot com)