Daily Catholic Lectio
Sun, 7 July 2024
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Ezekiel 2:2-5. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10. Mark 6:1-6
Strength in weakness!
In today’s liturgy of the word we meet three people who have faced ‘weaknesses’: Ezekiel (first reading), Paul (second reading), Jesus (gospel).
Let us begin with the second reading. As soon as Paul left Corinth, a group of ‘super apostles’ (this is how Paul calls them) came and changed their minds and turned them away from the gospel preached by Paul. Their eloquence and elegance captivated them. They rejected Paul and the gospel he preached. Paul, who was faithful and honest throughout his life, could not accept this dishonesty of the people. He is very heartbroken and opens his mind, saying, ‘a thorn in the flesh keeps bothering me.’
This expression may refer to Paul’s ill health or lack of funds, his community problems, his past life, his inability, or his old age. But this refers to something that Paul is not able to hide from others. All those who see or perceive the thorn, instead of being merciful to him, make fun of him. Paul takes his pain to the Lord. Paul calls the thorn ‘the angel sent by Satan.’
Paul prayed to God to remove this weakness from him. The human mind surrenders to God when all its efforts are fruitless. Paul felt that his weakness was the platform on which God worked. Because God acted in that weakness, He declares that it is His power. And it is at this time that God asserts to him, “My grace is enough for you!” He feels God’s supreme presence and providence.
Thus, weakness becomes Paul’s strength.
In the gospel reading, Jesus comes to his hometown. He teaches in the synagogue. Those who heard are surprised. They call him “son of Mary!” The word spread little by little in Nazareth that Jesus was born of the Holy Spirit. That’s why, instead of calling Jesus ‘Joseph’s son’ (in the usual way), we call him, ‘Son of Mary!’—’son”born without a male intervention’. They hesitated to own him.
Jesus’ simple birth is seen by others as a thorn in his flesh. Seeing his humble background, the townspeople do not pity him. The ultimate irony is that those who knew him well were reluctant to accept him. Because of their jealousy or narrow-mindedness, they are reluctant to accept Jesus. Mark further records, “Jesus could not do any mighty work there.” Our stubbornness incapacitates God as well.
Thus, Jesus’ family background and his carpentry were seen as his weaknesses. But Jesus goes on in his ministry.
Today’s first reading is part of the call of the prophet Ezekiel. God calls the prophet as ‘mortal’, ”underscoring his humble origin, and emphasising his identity with other people. Ezekiel’s message to the people of Israel, who worshipped idols and lived with divided minds, did not touch them. They remained as if they had not heard the sound. They think that no harm will befall them, as announced by the prophets. Their opposition would have been offensive to the prophet Ezekiel. He may feel frustrated and tired about his work not being accepted. It is at this time that the Lord God assures him of his presence.
We often think of weakness, opposition, and rejection as obstacles to success. But these are the realities of human life and Christian life. These become the platforms of our God working in us.
How do we perceive strength in weakness?
(a) By accepting the thorn in our flesh
Every one of us has a thorn in the flesh – physical, economic, spiritual, and existential. These thorns will not go away. They are stitched to our bodies. We need to accept and own them.
(b) By showing kindness
Since every one of us carries a thorn, let us be compassionate to each other. Let us try to help others put up with their thorns.
(c) By taking it to God
In the end, let us take it to God. God does not promise to remove it, but he assures us of his providence and protection.
Today, we stand in the line of Ezekiel, Jesus, and Paul – carrying our own thorns and weaknesses. Let us pray to God as does the Psalmist (cf. Ps 123), “Lord, our eyes are upon you until you show us mercy!”
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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