With America increasingly beset by cultural rot and political corruption, faithful Christians can’t help but be distressed.
In that context, I am struck by the common thread running through this Sunday’s readings — that humankind, being a fallen creation, have always been so, a rebellious people.
Hardly a consolation for us, but a reminder of sober reality.
Ezekiel 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.
Mark 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 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.
Psalm 123:3-4
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.
May the peace and love of Jesus Christ, our Lord, be with you.
~Éowyn
