Word Wide Open: The Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (B) - 7/4/21

First Reading (Ezekiel 2:2-5)

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel.

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.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? Why do people often turn against God in times of suffering? Who are the messengers God sends today?


Second Reading (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)

A reading from the Second Letter of St. Paul to the Corinthians.

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.

The word of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this reading? What are the thorns in our sides? What does it mean to be strong when you are weak?

Gospel (Mark 6:1-6)

A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Mark.

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.

The Gospel of the Lord.

Asking the big questions: Is there anything that stuck out to you from this Gospel reading? How do we often underestimate God? How does a lack of faith slow us down? Why is sharing the faith with family so difficult?