The Fourth Sunday After Pentecost, July 6, 2003 (Proper 9B)
Ezek. 2:1-7; Psalm 123; 2 Cor. 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-6
Whenever Jesus was with a crowd, he was met with eagerness, enthusiasm and excitement. At the time of the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves and fish, he taught thousands of people who had come from far away with such fervor that they neglected to bring food. Crowds shouted “Hosanna” when he entered Jerusalem on a donkey. Yet his popularity did not guarantee that he would be accepted and believed in as Messiah and Savior.
There are stumbling blocks to belief whenever it comes to making a real change. The rich young ruler went away sad because he was unable to divest himself of his riches, the “one thing” that he needed to do for eternal life. In the lessons for today, we see that there is a gulf between interest in the things of God, and truly hearing and responding to God in a way that changes one’s life through and through. The reading from Ezekiel shows that God knows full well, of course, that human beings will not accept the truth gladly, but will usually, on the contrary, resist and reject it: “You shall speak my words to them, whether they hear or refuse to hear.” Those who refused to hear were the poorer for it, for Ezekiel’s words include some of the most comforting and majestic in the Old Testament.
In the gospel, those who were familiar with Jesus through association with his family and knowledge of his growing-up years used that familiarity as a reason to resist and reject his
message: Though his hearers were “astounded” at his words and even acknowledged his “wisdom” and “deeds of power,” rather than be changed they disdained these things: “Is not this the carpenter?”
The right attitude is given to us in the psalm, for it speaks of humility, receptiveness, and the need for mercy. God will never flag in trying to reach his rebellious people, but he will never force us to respond and be changed. That must always be a free choice, and it will rarely be easy.
Look It Up
Why did God not remove Paul’s “thorn” as related in the epistle? Why was Paul’s retention of it necessary for the greater good? What was that greater good?
Think About It
Reflect on Mark 6:5-6a and consider why faith is necessary for the performance of Jesus’ miracles.
Next Sunday
The Fifth Sunday After Pentecost, July 13, 2003 (Proper 10B)
Amos 7:7-15; Psalm 85 or Psalm 85:7-13; Eph. 1:1-14; Mark 6:7-13
