Welcome to our Worship Celebration for the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost,
ALL ARE WELCOME HERE!
The Readings:
Ezekiel 2:1-5; Psalm 123; 2 Corinthians 12:2-10; Mark 6:1-13
The First Testament story for today tells of the Lord’s first commission to Ezekiel, commanding him to preach to a rebellious people. The plea of Psalm 123 is for the Lord to assist those who are scorned and held in contempt. The Gospel story tells of Jesus’ rejection in his hometown of Nazareth and of the subsequent call to the Twelve. Jesus’ proclamation to his unreceptive friends and family parallels the context in which Ezekiel’s prophetic preaching occurs. Paul’s mystical experience of being caught up into the third heaven serves as a reminder that prophetic experiences may involve both agony and ecstasy.
Questions for Reflection:
Stuff distracts us. Useless clutter we think we cannot live without can be a burden: too many coats, shoes, garden tools, or mismatched kitchen storage containers with no lids in sight as they tumble out of overstuffed cabinets. Perhaps our clutter shows up in other ways: on a computer that has grown from processing too many useless files, or when our minds grow dull from too much Web surfing or television viewing. Do you struggle with too much stuff? How do Jesus’ words about traveling light challenge you to change the way you live? How can you follow Jesus more faithfully today?
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