• Login
    View Item 
    •   CDR Home
    • Mission and Ministry
    • Daily Reflections Archive
    • View Item
    •   CDR Home
    • Mission and Ministry
    • Daily Reflections Archive
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Reflection for Sunday, July 5, 2015: 14th week in Ordinary Time..

    View/Open
    070515.html (7.792Kb)
    Author
    Hauser, Dick, S.J.
    Date
    2015-07-05
    Office/Affiliation
    College of Arts and Sciences; Theology

    Reading 1
    Ezekiel 2:2-5

    Psalm
    Psalms 123:1-2a, 2bc, 3-4

    Reading 2
    2 Corinthians 12:7-10

    Gospel
    Mark 6:1-6

    Lectionary Number
    101. Year B, Ordinary Time.

    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Browse: Previous Reflection * Next Reflection

    Reflection:

    To see the original html page, click the file link on the left.

    Suffering is part of the human condition. Suffering is a key experience of Paul's life.

    In today's reading three times Paul asks the Lord Jesus to remove a particularly bothersome suffering – a "thorn in the flesh." The actual "thorn" is  not certain; some surmise that Paul had a vision problem  hindering his ministry and so asks Jesus to remove it.

    Jesus' reply to Paul is significant for Paul -- and for all believers.  Jesus does indeed hear Paul's prayer and speaks directly to him, ""My grace is sufficient for you for power is made perfect in weakness." Not the answer Paul expected or wanted!

    But Paul does hear Jesus and responds simply and humbly, "I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me."

    This encounter with Jesus becomes the foundation of Paul's dealing with subsequent suffering. Paul is never hesitant to recount the sufferings he experiences; nor is he hesitant to witness to the power of Jesus experienced through them – "for when I am weak, then I am strong."

    In the Letter to the Romans he catalogues suffering and concludes with an exhortation to persecuted Christians in Rome, "I am convinced that neither death nor life . .  .nor any other creature will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."

    Paul's lesson to believers is clear: we as disciples of Jesus should not expect that Jesus will shield us from suffering;   rather we should expect that  our weakness can become the occasion for experiencing the power of Jesus.

    I have always been scandalized by preachers – and there are many – who claim that following Jesus exempts believers from suffering and guarantees a long life full of health and material prosperity.

    These preachers belie the witness of Paul.

    And they belie the witness of Jesus himself!

    Today's Gospel recounts Jesus' experience returning home to his native place and teaching in the synagogue.  All his listeners "took offense at him."  The Gospels then recount Jesus' progressive rejection, rejection leading to crucifixion and death – and to  eventual transformation and resurrection through the power of his most dear Father!

    Jesus is our savior and redeemer! His message is central to dealing with our suffering. Today's readings ask us to reflect on whether we have  heeded Paul's witness and brought our sufferings to Jesus – all our sufferings  -- trusting that in our personal weakness the power of Jesus can be manifested.

    Isn't this the heart of the good news of the Gospel?
    Link
    Go to the Daily Reflection web site

    Persistant link to this record
    http://hdl.handle.net/10504/70528
    Context
    View the Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer (Archived Version)

    Browse
    Previous Reflection * Next Reflection

    Collections
    • Daily Reflections Archive

    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2015  DuraSpace
    Contact Us | Send Feedback
    Theme by 
    @mire NV
     

     

    Browse

    All of the CDRCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    Statistics

    Most Popular ItemsStatistics by CountryMost Popular Authors

    DSpace software copyright © 2002-2015  DuraSpace
    Contact Us | Send Feedback
    Theme by 
    @mire NV