This week’s Gospel message for Sunday, July 4th is from Mark 6:1-6a.
“Jesus . . . 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. . .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.”
“Imagine being in the company of someone for whom curing a few sick people is a disappointing day. Even in the midst of a mean-spirited and unbelieving crowd, Jesus was still able to heal the sick. In Mark’s Gospel, faith precedes miracles. Jesus does not heal people in order that they will believe in him. Rather, Jesus heals those whose faith drives them to approach him with the assurance that he has the power to change their lives.” SOURCE: Pastoral Patterns, Summer 2021
DAILY READINGS FOR THE WEEK
Monday Gen 28:10-22a; Matt 9:18-26
Tuesday Gen 32:23-33; Matt 9:32-38
Wednesday Gen 41:55-57; 42:5-7a, 17-24a; Matt 10:1-7
Thursday Gen 44:18-21, 23b-29; 45:1-5; Matt 10:7-15
Friday Gen 46:1-7, 28-30; Matt 10:16-23
Saturday Gen 49:29-32; 50:15-26a; Matt 10:24-33
SOURCE: Living With Christ, July 2021
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“Faith is confidence
in what we hope for
and assurance about what
we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1