July 8, 2018

First Reading

Ezekiel 2: 2- 5

2:2 And after this was spoken to me, the Spirit entered into me, and he set me on my feet. And I heard him speaking to me,

2:3 and saying: “Son of man, I am sending you to the sons of Israel, to an apostate nation, which has withdrawn from me. They and their fathers have betrayed my covenant, even to this day.

2:4 And those to whom I am sending you are sons with a hard face and an unyielding heart. And you shall say to them: ‘Thus says the Lord God.’

2:5 Perhaps it may be that they will hear, and perhaps they may be quieted. For they are a provoking house. And they shall know that there has been a prophet in their midst.

Second Reading

Second Corinthians 12: 7- 10

12:7 And lest the greatness of the revelations should extol me, there was given to me a prodding in my flesh: an angel of Satan, who struck me repeatedly.

12:8 Because of this, three times I petitioned the Lord that it might be taken away from me.

12:9 And he said to me: “My grace is sufficient for you. For virtue is perfected in weakness.” And so, willingly shall I glory in my weaknesses, so that the virtue of Christ may live within me.

12:10 Because of this, I am pleased in my infirmity: in reproaches, in difficulties, in persecutions, in distresses, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful.

Gospel

The Holy Gospel According to Mark    6: 1-6

6:1 And departing from there, he went away to his own country; and his disciples followed him.
6:2 And when the Sabbath arrived, he began to teach in the synagogue. And many, upon hearing him, were amazed at his doctrine, saying: “Where did this one get all these things?” and, “What is this wisdom, which has been given to him?” and, “Such powerful deeds, which are wrought by his hands!”
6:3 “Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joseph, and Jude, and Simon? Are not his sisters also here with us?” And they took great offense at him.
6:4 And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and in his own house, and among his own kindred.”
6:5 And he was not able to perform any miracles there, except that he cured a few of the infirm by laying his hands on them.
6:6 And he wondered, because of their unbelief, and he traveled around in the villages, teaching.