Call to prayer: O God, be with us as we gather in your name. Break through our deafness of heart to speak to us the Word of life. Grant that we might hear and recognize your voice and respond in faith, through Christ our Lord, Amen.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark 6:1-6
Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.
The gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
Focus: Jesus’ own family, friends and townspeople turn him off. He returns home but their rejection does not stop his mission. Jesus cures the sick and moves on to teach others.
Questions for reflection and sharing:
1. What words or phrases stand out for you in this gospel?
2. What keeps the people from hearing the words of Jesus? What do they need in order to hear?
3. What keeps you going when you don’t feel support?
Concluding prayer: O God, your wisdom echoes across the centuries to shape our lives in your image. Remove from our sight the veil that hides your splendor. Flood us with the light of the Holy Spirit. We ask this through Christ our Lord, Amen.
