A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark (MK 6:1-6)
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.
Coming to his native place with his disciples, Jesus is recognized by people he would have known since he was born. They know him as the carpenter, the son of Mary. Yet, as they hear him teach in the synagogue, they are astonished and begin to question from what source his wisdom comes. They are, Mark tells us, offended by this. Knowing the hardness of their hearts, Jesus responds to their lack of faith in words and in action, amazed and unable to perform mighty deeds among them. The words of Jesus from yesterday’s Gospel on the necessity of faith—”Daughter, your faith has saved you.”—stand in striking contrast to that of his own townspeople and relatives. Throughout his ministry, Jesus goes on to demonstrate in teaching and healing the divine source of his wisdom.
God, help me be persistent in dispelling my disbelief and increasing my faith. Unchanging, you see my belief waver day by day; ever merciful, you see me look to you when I return with renewed faith. Help my unbelief, Lord. From Saint Padre Pio’s “Prayer After Communion,” I ask for the grace to remember these words throughout the day: “Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.”
From the responsorial psalm: “Then I acknowledged my sin to you, my guilt I covered not. I said, “I confess my faults to the LORD,” and you took away the guilt of my sin. Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.” Saint John Bosco, pray for us!
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.