Eastern Africa Dominican Friars

July 8, 2012

Fourteenth Sunday in the Church year.

Saint for the day: St. Gregory Grassi & Companions (d. 1900)

Scripture readings for today's liturgy:

Ezekiel 2:2-5

Psalm 123

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Mark 6:1-6

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me for He has sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor.” (today’s Alleluia verse.)

Back in the ‘80s when I was traveling all across the country giving liturgy workshops I used to begin my presentation by saying, “I’m here because I’m an expert.” And then I would give them my definition: “an expert is someone from out of town!”

 It’s hard to be an expert among people who know where you come from and all about you. If this happened to Jesus you can be sure we, too, will experience some of that same criticism when we are in the presence of people who think they know us through and through. However, there is hope in our second reading from 2 Corinthians where Paul talks about having to deal with his own inadequacies. The ending of that reading should give us hope when Paul says, “… for when I am weak, then I am strong.”  The problem that we run into – and which Jesus experienced in His own hometown – is that “society” puts so much effort on telling us that “weakness” in any form is to be avoided. Our families often don’t help us in this regard when they persist in asking us, “What do you want to BE when you grow up?” I can’t help but think of that Dr.Susse poem:

Today you are you. That is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer then you. Shout loud, ‘I’m glad that I am what I am. And not just a clam or a ham or a dusty old jar of sour gooseberry jam.”

All of us have to remember that by virtue of our baptism we are anointed and sent out to be a light in the darkness of our world. A world which at this time seems to not want anything of this wonderful light. Still we are sent out – as Jesus says, “as lambs among wolves” and also, “I will never leave you. I will always be with you.” Thorns, warts and all. Every one of us has been given some gifts to share with those around us. As Paul says, “some are prophets, some are teachers, some are miracle workers. Not all the gifts are given to each, but only as each has need.”

So, we go out with our little light into a world of darkness and hope that it will bring light to at least one other person. But remember, when it comes to being critical: blowing out another’s candle does nothing to make your candle brighter. Amen 

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