FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B

Reflection by Kevin Woodhouse;
College Director of Catholic Identity;
St Francis Xavier College;
First Reading Ezekiel 2:2-5;
Second Reading 2 Corinthians 12:7-10;
Gospel Mark 6:1-6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As I have reflected upon the readings for July 7, the Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time Year B, the musician in me has been drawn to the words that could become a song. Each of the three readings have stand out phrases that I will use to link past, present and future, and hopefully share a message of hope, especially on the day designated for the 2024 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday.

The author of Ezekiel, whose name means, "whom God makes strong", (CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Ezekiel (newadvent.org)) is writing of Ezekiel’s call and mission in the early chapters of the book. The community was making meaning of the traumatic experience of the Exile, a time where the Jewish kingdom was defeated, the First temple destroyed, leaders exiled to Babylon, resulting in deep reflection in the midst of suffering and loss. How could God do this? The prophetic tradition had things to say about why, what to do now, and the hope for future restoration, and it starts with the call of the prophet: Stand. Listen. Speak.

In 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul is using the known dialogical techniques of his time to influence the Corinthians to accept his authority as coming from Christ’s suffering and resurrection. Paul uses the scandal of the Cross as the new way of living. This is evident in his own life, modelled on Jesus. In weakness, hardship and persecution, and so close to the experience of all Christians at this time, God’s words of hope are proclaimed through Paul: ‘My grace is enough for you’, and through Paul’s expression of this: ‘when I am weak I am strong.’

Jesus is the model of the new way of living where values of the time are turned upside down. In the narrative from Mark’s Gospel we see this in action in Jesus’ life.  His message of God’s restoration was rejected by his country, his family, his house. As son of Mary he had no status. He wasn’t accompanied by a powerful entourage, just a collection of faithful and defenceless followers who often misunderstood him. Yet like Ezekiel he stood and spoke in the midst of deaf ears, and his weakness, the Good News of his Father, became a powerful force that has changed the world forever. There is so much more in this short narrative: no miracle, a few were cured, and Jesus’ amazement at the lack of faith of his family, his house, his country.

What could the song of this collection of readings look and sound like for First Nations Peoples’ experiences?

The Spirit made us stand up, has made us strong.

We have been sent, whether people listen or not.
As we share our love of Culture, Land and Church,
Of waters and skies, and the presence of Christ
in our stories and traditions, (NATSICC)
Your grace is enough for us.

Lead us, Lord of Creation, Lord of land, waters and skies.

Our First Peoples know exile,
Insults, hardships and persecutions,
the agonies we go through for Christ’s sake.
But when we are weak we are strong.
And Your grace is enough for us.

Lead us, Lord of Creation, Lord of land, waters and skies.

We came back to our home town,
With words of voice, truth, treaty.
Most of the people were astonished by what they heard.
‘Where did you get all this?’
‘What is this wisdom?’
Prophets despised in our own country. In our own house.
Your grace is enough for us.

Lead us, Lord of Creation, Lord of land, waters and skies.

Jesus our brother, the one rejected, despised and alone.
You have been with us all along.
You saw our faith, You laid your hands on us when others were found lacking.
And we are healed.
Your grace is enough for us.

Lead us, Lord of Creation, Lord of land, waters and skies.

Walk with us Jesus, as we too see,
your amazement with lack of faith,
and with your help, move all,
To restoration, reconciliation,
Walking together in respect and unity. (NATSICC)
Your grace is enough for us.

Lead us, Lord of Creation, Lord of land, waters and skies.

On this special celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday, using NATSICC’S words: ‘We pray for moments of grace, healing and transformation for all of us.’