07 July 2024 - Proper 9, Year B

 

Theme

This week’s readings speak about some of the opposition and challenges that Christians may face and a reminder that God shows up in our times of need. Jesus says that prophets are not honoured in their own homes. In 2 Corinthians, Paul speaks about the thorn in his flesh and that God’s strength is revealed in his weakness. Ezekiel is called to be a prophet, even though he may not be accepted. The Psalmist cries out for God’s mercy for those who have suffered at the hands of the proud.

Scripture Readings

  • Mark 6:1-13 - Jesus preaches in the synagogue in Nazareth. The people are amazed at his wisdom and miracles, but they take offense at him. Jesus claims that a prophet is not honoured in their own home and is amazed at their lack of faith. Jesus teaches in various villages and sends his disciples out with authority. He instructs them to take nothing for the journey and to rely on the hospitality of others. If they are not welcomed, they must leave and not return. The disciples preached repentance, drove out demons and healed the sick.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:2-10 - Paul boasts about a fellow believer, but refuses to boast about himself. His words and actions reveal who he is, not what he claims. Paul talks about the thorn in his flesh that he pleaded for three times with God to be taken away from him. God didn’t take it away, but said that God’s grace is sufficient for him, for God’s power is made perfect in weakness. Paul therefore boasts about his weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on him. For Christ’s sake, he delights in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties. “When I am weak, then I am strong.”
  • Ezekiel 2:1-5 - Ezekiel is called to go to the people of Israel who have rebelled against God. He is to say, “Thus says the Lord,” and whether they listen or not, they will know that a prophet has been among them.
  • Psalm 123 - God’s people look to God as a servant looks to their master and a maid looks to her mistress, until God has mercy on them. A cry for God’s mercy from people who have had more than their fill of scorn and contempt of those who are proud and at ease.

Personal Application

The Apostle Paul often spoke about the “thorn in his flesh,” some terrible thing that he struggled with throughout his life. No-one knows exactly what Paul’s “thorn” was, but much thought has been given to this topic, with speculations ranging from a disease to a disability to some personal temptation he struggled with. Paul never specifically identified his “thorn,” but we know that it was one of his greatest burdens that he often referred to in various ways.

In this passage from 2 Corinthians, Paul claims that he cannot boast in his gifts and skills, but what he can boast in is his weaknesses, one of these being his “thorn.” The reason he can boast about this is that God’s power is revealed in his greatest weaknesses. Many people have found this to be true in their own lives. When we are weak, God is strong.

I remember two such occasions in my life. The first was when I was 19 and made a few bad choices in my life. Because of my bad actions, I had to suffer some serious consequences. At this time, I wanted nothing to do with God, but luckily God never stopped pursuing me and I later realised how God’s grace was evident in my life even then. The second time was last year after my mother-in-law passed away. This time I drew nearer to God and relied heavily on God’s peace and grace to sustain me. I was incredibly weak during these two periods of my life, often not knowing how I would survive the days, but Christ showed himself to be strong and faithful in my weakness.

When have you been at your weakest? Have you noticed God’s strength in times when you have been weak? How can you learn to “boast” in your weakness (God’s strength) rather than in your strengths?

Communal Application

In Mark, Jesus speaks about a prophet not being honoured in his own home. The prophet Ezekiel faced a similar after being called by God when he was called to speak God’s commands to the God’s people.

I wonder who are the prophets in our midst who are not being honoured and whose voices are silenced? A prophet was not always the loudest person in the room. Often, they would work quietly ways, sharing their God-given wisdom with God’s people in subtle but powerful ways.

Whose voices are speaking God’s truths about love and justice that need to be elevated in our churches and communities? Are we willing to become modern day prophets if God calls us to speak truth in our communities, even though we may face opposition and even persecution for doing so?

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