14th Sunday of the Year (B)

(Edited) Reflections (from) 14th Sunday of the Year (B), July 8, 2012

Liturgical readings

Ezekiel 2:2-5
Psalm 123
2 Corinthians 12:7-10
Mark 6:1-6

"So much did their lack of faith distress Jesus."

In His public ministry, Jesus emphasized faith in His prophetic preaching. It is one of the themes of His proclamation at Galilee: "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent and believe in the good news." Believe in the good news! Jesus appeals to all who listen to Him to have faith in Him and the Kingdom. Not all responded in faith - as the gospel passage tells us. Those who did not respond in faith were His own countrymen. They were too familiar with Jesus' family background that they failed to see His divinity. It was this lack of faith that distressed Jesus not only in this instance, but during His entire public ministry.

Faith is a gift. And all the faithful are called to be thankful if they receive it. It helps all to know that God wills what is best for us. It also moves all to be good and to live virtuous lives in the eyes of both God and man. Furthermore, Jesus Himself says that anyone with faith can "move mountains". Faith that can move mountains begins in daily life. It means that despite all difficulties or doubts experienced, there is a knowledge that upon fulfilling the duties of one's state, will someday bring the reward God promises to us in this life and at the end. Though we do not see end, faith gives the eyes to have a glimpse of it (in prayer, the Scriptures, the Sacraments, and the events that unfold in our lives).

Faith can indeed move mountains. But we don't need this degree of faith everyday. The daily miracles of faith are those times that we continue to hang on in doing the good that we ought to do, even when the environment around us isn't. Blessed Teresa of Calcutta is our inspiration in this. She said, paraphrasing in a few words, "if others are bad, be good just the same". And St. Paul too can inspire all to always act in good faith: "The trials we have had to bear in our lives are no more than people normally have; we can trust God not to let us be tried beyond our strength; and with any trial He will give us a way out of it and the strength to bear it." (1 Cor 10:11-13).