Obstacles
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
“Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary? Mark 6:3
Christ in the House of his Parents, 1850, by John Everett Millais
The prophet Ezekiel, Saint Paul, and the Lord Jesus share something in common in today’s scripture readings. They all experience obstacles to their ministry. Ezekiel is summoned to prophesy to the Israelites, who are “[h]ard of face and obstinate of heart” (Ezekiel 2:4). Saint Paul recounts how he has been given a “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7). The Lord Jesus is unable to perform many signs in his native place. The Gospel tells us that “[he] was amazed at their lack of faith” (Mark 6:6). We too sometimes encounter obstacles as we travel along the journey of faith. So often we experience weakness on this journey. Let the words of the Lord to Saint Paul encourage us today: “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
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Readings for the Week
Monday: Hos 2:16, 17b-18, 21-22; Ps 145:2-9; Mt 9:18-26
Tuesday: Hos 8:4-7, 11-13; Ps 115:3-10; Mt 9:32-38
Wednesday: Hos 10:1-3, 7-8, 12; Ps 105:2-7; Mt 10:1-7
Thursday: Hos 11:1-4, 8c-9; Ps 80:2ac, 3b, 15-16; Mt 10:7-15
Friday: Hos 14:2-10; Ps 51:3-4, 8-9, 12-14, 17; Mt 10:16-23
Saturday: Is 6:1-8; Ps 93:1-2, 5; Mt 10:24-33
Sunday: Am 7:12-15; Ps 85:9-14; Eph 1:3-14 [3-10]; Mk 6:7-13
Saints & Special Observances
Sunday: Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Monday: St. Augustine Zhao Rong and Companions
Wednesday: St. Benedict
Friday: St. Henry
Saturday: St. Kateri Tekakwitha