Ezekiel 2: 2-5; Psalm 122(123); 2 Cor 12: 7-10; Mark 6: 1-6
Ezekiel was a priest in the Jewish exile to Babylon in 597 BC. Like all prophets, including Christ and Paul, Ezekiel suffered for speaking truth to those who did not want to hear it. Here he is commissioned to speak the Lord’s words to Israel – “whether they listen or not”.
The psalm begs the Lord to have mercy on the people, who are suffering humiliating contempt by others.
The last three chapters of Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, perhaps a separate letter, contains an impassioned defence against allegations that he was weak, and less committed because he earned his own living. Paul compares his suffering to Christ’s, whose sufferings bring believers to accept suffering as the way to the Kingdom.
We can only speculate about Paul’s “stake in the flesh”. But it clearly caused bodily pain, sometimes, as in Galatia, keeping him from his work of spreading the gospel. And it brought humility instead of the pride he might have had from his successful work. But this very weakness was a continual reminder of his apostolic task.
In Mark’s Gospel Jesus, too, finds his words are not listened to, even “among his own relations” and family. Although the later Gospels soften this rejection, it is clear Jesus found it painful.
Psalm Response: Our eyes are on the Lord till he shows us his mercy.
(Ezekiel 2: 2-5; Psalm 122(123); 2 Cor 12: 7-10; Mark 6: 1-6)