So let's talk about today's readings 7/5/09

[cheeto1]

usccb.org/nab/today.shtml

Today’s readings give us 2 reasons why our prayers for health may not be answered.
Naturally there are many more, but the 2 mentioned today are:

1. So it won’t cause us to be too proud (2 Cor, 2nd rdg)
2. Because of our lack of faith (Mk gospel)

The first reading tells us that the Israelites will know that there is a prophet in their
midst when Ezekiel speaks. Are there any prophets today, that are in our midst now,
that we can go and listen to them speak?

And this from the psalm:

“Our souls are more than sated with
the mockery of the arrogant and
the contempt of the proud”

Are the arrogant and proud mocking us and showing us contempt, or are we the
arrogant and proud?

Today is the day of Anthony Zaccaria

So what struck you about today’s readings? :bible1::twocents:

 

[Fidelis]

The first reading, I think, tells us several things about the role and disposition of a prophet (an office we are all called to at least in the context of our vocation and where God places us).

First, it is God who calls; he it is who “places us on our feet.”

Secondly, God makes no secret of the probable disposition we will encounter in those we are called or sent to as God’s witnesses. Whether it is in our own families or to a wider circle, we can expect to encounter hardened hearts and even hostility, whether from personal or generational sin, cultural conditioning, or other factors.

Third, no matter what the opposition, we are still called in some manner to convey the message that God has called us as his prophetic people to deliver. The verses that come after this Sunday’s reading are sobering:

But as for you, son of man, fear neither them nor their words when they contradict you and reject you, though briars and thorns be with you - RSV] and when you sit on scorpions. Neither fear their words nor be dismayed at their looks, for they are a rebellious house.

(But speak my words to them, whether they heed or resist, for they are rebellious.)

 

[cheeto1]

Third, no matter what the opposition, we are still called in some manner to convey the message that God has called us as his prophetic people to deliver.

Yes, we are Catholics. And what is our message to the world? Who is the world?
“The world” were the people that Jesus wouldn’t even pray for at the last supper. He
prayed for all His followers and future followers, but not for the world.

Well, Ezekiel was also called to be a “watchman”, and held responsible for everyone’s
sins that he didn’t rebuke them for. Are we a “watchman” like Ezekiel? If we were,
we’d go around pointing out everyone’s sins or we would pay for it with our lives.

What is the message God asks us to say, whenever we have a chance? Are we
supposed to make a plan, like the Jehovah witnesses, or Billy Graham? Or just
live our lives right and set a good example? I’m just sure that there is something more God wants from us, but He is quiet…