Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

July 8, 2012

Ezekiel 2:2-5; Psalm 12; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10; Mark 6:1-6

          Prophets face fierce opposition. Ezekiel is called by God to speak to the rebellious people of Israel. God lets him know that the people may heed or resist his words, but he is to be faithful in proclaiming the word to them. It will be a lonely endeavor with little hope for immediate results. Likewise, Paul is confronted by Judaizers who do not want Gentiles to be included into the Jewish faith. They are his "thorn in the flesh" for they are relentless in their dogged pursuit of their aims. Their actions are contrary to Paul's efforts to build up the churches by easing the restrictions upon Gentiles. For Paul, anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord is included in God's plan of salvation through Christ. Race and culture do not matter. Every step of the way Paul faces steep resistance and antagonism.

          Jesus places himself on parallel footing with prophets when he returns to his native Galilee. His disciples have already seen his miracles and they've heard his powerful teaching. Now it is on display for his kinsfolk to experience. Instead of staying with the awe and amazement of powerful deeds and words, they begin to belittle him because he is from an ordinary family. His brothers and sisters do not show any capacity to do the great things he is doing. Therefore, he must be possessed or out-of-his-mind. Their lack of faith has a negative effect on his ability to accomplish great deeds.

          It is true that many people do not like another person to shine. Friends get upset when a colleague gets the promotion they thought they deserved. When someone is elevated for a particular reason, many people will diminish their accomplishments in order that the regular order of relationships remain intact. After all, people cut from the same cloth are not to rise above others. They are to remember their origins and not seek to prove they are better than others. (We certainly are funny people when we do not celebrate someone's success.)

          While these three readings focus upon the prophetic nature of the ministries of Ezekiel, Paul, and Jesus, it causes us to examine the role of a prophet in society. Prophets are associated with bringing confronting words to a person's actions. Their spur to action makes people uncomfortable because it communicates to others that they have to change. A prophet is usually seen as a righteous figure who has an urgent message to convey and historically prophets impose their words and exhortations upon others. While prophets speak firmly and authoritatively, they also cross boundaries. Prophets are disliked because of their style of preaching.

          Contemporary prophets are associated with an in-your-face style. Vociferous social activists and social-justice advocates feel compelled to preach blunt words to get media attention. Their urge to speak the truth they know unfortunately gets them little credibility. They want respect for their viewpoints and sometimes their style gets in the way. The old adage applies, "A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down."

          Prophets can choose a variety of styles to deliver their message. Madison Avenue advertising firms have found subtle ways to influence culture and shape public opinion.

Religious leaders, if they read the signs of the times, can learn these ways and can benefit from collected wisdom. The voice of God seldom comes in loud, clamorous ways, but in tiny, soft utterances. God's actions have come about subtly, but are momentous when we reflect upon them. Prophets can mirror God's gentle ways. The church and world still needs its prophets, yet we need a variety of models. These contemporary ones will do their best work when they learn to speak softly, listen well, and lead others to the one who can change hearts. Then, once again, the voice of the prophet can be respected.

           

Themes for this Week’s Masses

First Reading: The Lord tells Hosea that he will alluringly lead Israel back into the desert and win over her heart so that she remains faithful to her original promises in the covenant. The people made themselves idols for destruction and they turned away from the Lord. Samaria and Ephraim turned away to pursue foolish pleasures. The Lord will remember their guilt and punish their sins. Though Israel's heart is false, she remains beautiful. Eventually, the king of Samaria will disappear, the altars to Ba'al will be destroyed, and no king shall rule them. Then, Israel will realize it is time to seek the Lord. When they do that, the Lord's heart will be overwhelmed with love once again. He was with Israel as a child and loved him dearly. Out of Egypt, he called his son. He will speak tenderly to Israel and Ephraim once again. Hosea implores the people to return to the Lord and make straight their paths and they will once again enjoy the Lord's favor. ~ In the year King Uzziah dies, Isaiah receives his vocation as prophet from the Lord.

Gospel: While Jesus is speaking to the crowds, a synagogue official approaches him with a plea to help his dying daughter. Just after that happens, a hemorrhaging woman touches his cloak and is healed because of her faith. A demoniac is brought before Jesus, who quickly heals him. He heals many in the area and his heart is moved with pity. He tells the disciples that the harvest is ready and more laborers are needed. Jesus calls the Twelve together and commissions them with travel instructions as they preach and heal. Proclaim "the kingdom of God is at hand" and heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, and drive out demons. Only go, however, to places where you are well received. Jesus is sending them into mostly hostile territory and the Father's Spirit will be with them as the preach in his name. Do not be afraid of anyone. Many will try to harm you, but no eternal harm can come to one who does the will of the Father.

Saints of the Week

July 9: Augustine Zhao Rong, priest and companions, Chinese martyrs (1648-1930) were 120 Chinese martyrs that included priests, children, parents, catechists and common laborers. Christians were persecuted throughout Chinese history. Augustine Zhao Rong was a diocesan priest who was brought to the faith after the example of the French missionary bishop Dufresse. Zhao Rong was arrested in 1815 and died in prison.

July 11: Benedict, Abbot (480-547), was educated in Rome, but left after a few years to take on a life of solitude. He became a monk at Subiaco and lived alone, but his lifestyle developed followers so he built 12 monasteries for them. He left to found a monastery at Monte Cassino where he wrote his Rule that became a standard for Western monasticism. He adopted the practices of the austere Desert Fathers for community life and emphasized moderation, humility, obedience, prayer, and manual labor. 

July 13: Henry, king (972-1024) was a descendent of Charlemagne who became king of Germany and the Holy Roman Emperor. His wife had no offspring. He merged the church's affairs with the secular government and built the cathedral in the newly erected diocese of Bamberg. He was a just ruler who paid close attention to his prayer.

July 14: Kateri Tekakwitha (1656-1680) was the daughter of a Christian Algonquin mother and a non-Christian Mohawk chief. As a child, she contracted smallpox and was blinded and severely disfigured by it. She was baptized on Easter Sunday 1767 by Jesuit missionaries and was named after Catherine of Siena. She kept a strong devotion to the Eucharist and cared for the sick. She is named "the Lily of the Mohawks."

This Week in Jesuit History

·         Jul 8, 1767. D'Aubeterre wrote to De Choiseul: "It is impossible to obtain the Suppression from the Pope [Clement XIII]; it must be wrested from him by occupying papal territory."

·         Jul 9, 1763. The Society is expelled from New Orleans and Louisiana at the bidding of the French government.

·         Jul 10 , 1881. Fr. Frederick Garesche' wrote from Sequin, Texas, to his Superior: "The cowboys who had not deigned at first to lift their hat to the priest or missionary; who had come to the mission as to a camp meeting, for the fun of the thing, gave in, and their smiles and awkward salutes showed that they had hearts under their rude exterior."

·         Jul 11, 1809. After Pius VII had been dragged into exile by General Radet, Fr. Alphonsus Muzzarrelli SJ, his confessor, was arrested in Rome and imprisoned at Civita Vecchia.

·         Jul 12, 1594. In the French Parliament Antoine Arnauld, the Jansenist, made a violent attack on the Society, charging it with rebellious feelings toward King Henry IV and with advocating the doctrine of regicide.

·         Jul 13, 1556. Ignatius, gravely ill, handed over the daily governance of the Society to Juan de Polanco and Cristobal de Madrid.

·         Jul 14, 1523. Ignatius departs from Venice on his pilgrimage to the Holy Land.