Gulf Pine Catholic

Gulf Pine Catholic • July 5, 2024 5 MORE THAN FUNERAL DIRECTORS We are Professional Remembrance Planners Explore the many unique ways to honor and celebrate lives. Call or visit Bradford O’Keefe today. BRADFORD-O’KEEFE FUNERAL HOMES Professional. Compassionate. Dignified. 228-374-5650 • Bradfordokeefe.com In thanksgiving to the Holy Spirit, Blessed Mother, and St. Jude, for prayers answered. BAB Opening Remarks -- Story: A once-thriving monastery was in danger of closing. With only five monks left, the buildings deteriorating, and no one interested in saving the order, the Abbott asked a wise Rabbi for advice he could take back to the discouraged monks. Tell them, “The Messiah is among you,” the Rabbi replied. The Abbot returned to the monastery and repeated the Rabbi’s words to his fellow monks. “Tell the monks that the Messiah is among you.” In the months that followed, the monks pondered the significance of the Rabbi’s words: The Messiah is among us. Could he possibly have meant that the Messiah is one of us here at the monastery? Do you suppose he meant the Abbot, or Brother John, or Brother Thomas? The conjecture captivated their thinking and energized their actions. Soon, the monks began to treat each other with extraordinary respect on the chance that one among them might be the Messiah. Visitors to the beautiful forest and monastery began to sense a powerfully spiritual aura of great respect and love among the once-dejected monks. As word spread, more people visited the monastery frequently to picnic, play, and pray. They brought friends, and their friends brought their friends. Some of the younger male visitors asked the monks if they could join them. Then, others asked if they, too, could join. Within a few years, the monastery again became a thriving order, a vibrant center of peace, joy, and spirituality. Amazing things can happen when we believe, live, and act as if the Messiah is among us. Tell them anyway: Today’s readings reflect the impact of the Messiah and His prophets among the people. In our first reading, Ezekiel was told, “I am sending you to the Israelites, rebels who have rebelled against me … but you shall say to them thus says the Lord God! And whether they heed or resist…they shall know that a prophet has been among them” (Ezekiel 2:4- 5). God’s word still attempts to influence us and the world around us. Who has made a memorable impact on your life? In what ways will you be a witness of influence to show forth the glory of God? Studying the life of your patron saint and focusing on their attributes of faith, hope, love, and service and how they demonstrated these in their time against trial and persecution would be a good exercise to determine how you can mimic their life. Despite the rebellion, past and present, God has not given up on us yet. His word still attempts to influence us. Are we heeding or resisting? Grace is Sufficient: Humility is a necessary characteristic in hearing and conveying God’s voice. Paul begged the Lord to remove his “thorn in the flesh” (an infirmity meant to humble him), but God replied with an amazing contradiction to human wisdom, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). People will know that a prophet, evangelist, or disciple of Christ is among them when we boast only of how God’s grace, love, and power have made a difference in the way we live and demonstrate those words with actions. Hard hearts and closed minds: Our Gospel begins, “Jesus came to His native place, accompanied by His disciples … to teach in the synagogue.” It was common for a popular Rabbi to move about the country with His circle of disciples and be welcomed as a guest teacher in a local synagogue. Widely diverse opinions and spirited intellectual debate have always been acceptable in Judaism. So, Jesus’ townsfolk had no problem accepting him as one Rabbi among many as long as His teaching stayed within the confines of traditional, non-threatening speculation of the law. But Jesus was more than a Rabbi. He spoke with unparalleled wisdom and authority, performed miraculous deeds, and challenged His hearers to a deeper faith in God and a change of heart. Many rejected the message and its bearer and reacted with accusations and personal attacks: “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…?” Their contempt stifled God’s healing power and took rebellion to its highest level. What about you? Is the Messiah among us today? Could it be someone you know as Lord and redeemer? Is His grace sufficient for you? Is His love for others burning strongly in your heart? Is His light of hope, joy, peace, and gentle treatment of all illuminating through you and onto someone else? Ponder These Things. Think of how our sagging shoulders, drooping knees, hopeless talk, and critical spirits could be transformed if we humbly recognized that the Messiah is indeed among us. And why shouldn’t we? Living on this side of the resurrection, we have the benefit of credible eyewitnesses. The Church and its Apostles, martyrs, disciples, and saints over more than 2,000 years have provided witness to the resurrection and the reality that Jesus Christ is Lord and Messiah. Now that we know it for sure, we can live it for real. Deacon Ralph Torrelli lives in Hattiesburg and is retired. Visit his website: www.homilypearls.com . 1st Reading: Ezekiel 2:2-5 Responsorial Psalm: 123:1-2, 2, 3-4 2nd Reading: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Gospel: Mark 6:1-6 14th Sunday of Ordinary Time Jesus among us Deacon Torrell i Sunday Scripture Commentaries To submit your parish activities for Diocesan Briefs, email information to tdickson@biloxidiocese.org or go to gulfpinecatholic.com and and click on Submit Your Content.