Warning

 

Close

Confirm Action

Are you sure you wish to do this?

Confirm Cancel
BCM
User Panel

Posted: 7/4/2015 7:17:11 AM EDT


Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
5 JULY 2015 A.D.
Lectionary: 101


(Ezekiel, Sistine Chapel, Michelangelo)  

First Reading EZ 2:2-5

As the LORD spoke to me, the spirit entered into me
and set me on my feet,
and I heard the one who was speaking say to me:
Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites,
rebels who have rebelled against me;
they and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day.
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!
And whether they heed or resist—for they are a rebellious house—
they shall know that a prophet has been among them.

Responsorial Psalm PS 123:1-2, 2, 3-4

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

To you I lift up my eyes
who are enthroned in heaven —
As the eyes of servants
are on the hands of their masters.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.

As the eyes of a maid
are on the hands of her mistress,
So are our eyes on the LORD, our God,
till he have pity on us.
R. 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.
R. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.

Second Reading 2 COR 12:7-10

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.
Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me,
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.
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.



Alleluia CF. LUKE 4:18

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



Gospel MK 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.
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!
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.
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.



Today's Gospel Reading: Mark 6: 1-6

*This Sunday’s Gospel finds Jesus returning to his hometown of Nazareth. As we have seen in earlier readings, he had lately made the fishing village of Capernaum his new home and base location of his ministry (Mark 2:1; 3:19).

*St. Mark does not mention Jesus’ purpose for returning to Nazareth, but it is apparent that the townsfolk had heard the accounts of his preaching and miracles that he had performed in other parts of the region (verse 2). Perhaps feeling a bit of contempt for his humble beginnings, and envy at this small-town product returning with such an obvious following (verses 1-3), they “took offense at him” (or, as some translations render it, “stumbled” or were “scandalized” by him).

*Jesus likens their response to that afforded the Old Testament prophets, who were also often held in contempt and persecuted by their own people (v 4; Matt. 5:11-12; Heb. 11:32-38).

*In an ironic contrast, whereas in last week’s reading we saw two examples of faith in Jesus by those whom had only heard of him (Mark 5:21-43), this reading concerns the lack of faith by those who have known him and his family all his life.

(Verse 3 is often cited in an attempt to “prove” that the Blessed Virgin Mary had other children. However, it must be remembered that in Semitic usage, “brother” had a much broader meaning than our use of the word—it was often used to describe relatives of all sorts, including cousins, nephews and uncles. In addition, we know that “James and Joses” are the sons of another Mary [Mary of Clophas; John 19:25], and that the Judas mentioned was the son of a certain James [Luke 6:16]. See CCC 499-507).


BIBLE QUESTIONS:

After the two power-draining miracles we heard about last week, what happens when Jesus goes home? Why?

What was Jesus’ “native place”? What was his history there (Luke 2:39; 4:16-30)? Why might he have moved from this place to live in the lakeshore village of Capernaum, also basing his ministry there (Mark 2:1; 3:19)?

How might an emotion like envy impede one’s faith? How might your envy at the success of another keep Jesus from answering your prayers?

How has familiarity with Jesus blocked you from really seeing who he is? What helps you to get a fresh look?

How does your family react to your faith in Christ? How does that affect you?

Bible Study--14th Sunday in Ordinary Time


"We are convinced beyond doubt that the truths of faith cannot deceive us; yet we cannot seem to bring ourselves to trust in them. It is easier for us to trust in human reasons and the deceiving appearances of the world. This, precisely, is the reason for our poor progress in virtue and in all that pertains to God's glory." --St. Vincent de Paul
Link Posted: 7/4/2015 9:37:09 AM EDT
[#1]
Happy 4th op and God Bless.
Link Posted: 7/4/2015 10:41:22 AM EDT
[#2]
Thanks, Brother!

Back at ya, also:



(noted: all references to "GOD" and/or "Creator!")

Neither "God," nor "Creator" nor "Freedom" will ever die in America!

Link Posted: 7/5/2015 11:26:36 AM EDT
[#3]
BNA.. I cannot believe the pictures of the Carpenter you chose this weekend.


My entire week has had a concentrations of St. Joseph the foster father of Jesus.


Part of that has been around looking for work and even when I am not there is a daily devotion to St. Joseph.


St. Joseph was a gifted carpenter and he taught Jesus that trade. The town knew and expected Jesus to follow in the steps of his foster father.


Not knowing who was in their midsts. It was far to much a stretch for them to believe he could also be the Savior.


It makes you wonder how many opportunities we miss each day to invite Christ in and see Him. Are we missing those opportunities because we expect Him to be an "idea" the world has placed on Him.


I think you have laid the path for my formation this week. Thank you so much!!!!







 
Link Posted: 7/5/2015 8:15:50 PM EDT
[#4]
you read my mind, angelfire! You're right on-the-money!

...a humble carpenter's son--THE MESSIAH! someone who works hard daily with his hands.

WOW!

makes me wonder myself, how many times I've probably not paid enough attention to those around me who could be holy!

Great that you have a devotion to St. Joseph (my Dad's name and my middle name as well!)

What an exemplar for all men St. Joseph is. Husband, foster father, worker, provider, protector. He always obeyed and followed God's will. (Again, reminds me of my dear Dad, God rest his soul. Got up and worked every day in the steel mills with his hands to provide for his wife and large family. Maybe that's why I'm such a fan of Opus Dei--pray and work!)

P.S.
Had a discussion yesterday about the word "carpenter" in the Gospel. Seems as thought the Greek word: "tekton" usually translates as "carpenter of wooden items," but it also has been translated as "stone cutter" or even "mason."

If that's so, Jesus was a "stone mason," and the literal "rock, which was rejected, and became our cornerstone!"

What Was Jesus' Occupation?
Close Join Our Mail List to Stay Up To Date! Win a FREE Membership!

Sign up for the ARFCOM weekly newsletter and be entered to win a free ARFCOM membership. One new winner* is announced every week!

You will receive an email every Friday morning featuring the latest chatter from the hottest topics, breaking news surrounding legislation, as well as exclusive deals only available to ARFCOM email subscribers.


By signing up you agree to our User Agreement. *Must have a registered ARFCOM account to win.
Top Top