Gospel Reflection for July 7, 2024 – 14th Sunday Ordinary Time

Sunday Readings: Ezekiel 2.2-5; 2 Corinthians 12.7-10; Mark 6.1-6

Jesus came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. People said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon—and aren’t his sisters here with us as well?” They took offense at him (Mark 6.1-3).

The Nazarenes are hearers of Israel’s scriptures, sufferers under Roman rule and taxes, people yearning for the promised messiah. Yet they are certain Jesus is a carpenter and no prophet, no messiah. His prophetic words cannot take root in their hearts.

The gospels of Ordinary Time invite us to take stock of our everyday relationships. We can reverse attitudes that keep us in boxes of certainty. We can recognize what we do to ourselves when we use our creativity to express hate rather than recognize God present in one of our own—a neighbor, brother, sisters, friend. 

The holy happens in our lives when we reach out with kindness and interest to those different from us. God is near in how we see and listen, how we share and include.

• What has more power in how you live every day—fear of all you don’t know or certainty you know all you need to know?
• What questions do you live with?