The second letter to the Corinthians chapter 12 verses 7-10 today has a reflective image from St. Paul in which he acknowledges that God’s grace is sufficient for us despite our weaknesses and “beatings” from Satan.
In a sense, on this sabbath day and remembrance of our independence as a Nation, we should strive for this deep-seated reflection of God empowering us and our Nation with grace that should be fervently asked for in prayer each day. The Gospel passage from Mark chapter 6 verses 1-6 has an interesting paradox in which the people question the works of Jesus and Jesus’s response of “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” The lessons from scripture teach us that we should never strive to live within our comfort zones in order to receive the graces and gifts from God. As an American nation in these great United States, oftentimes we become accustomed to certain luxuries and levels of comfort we take for granted, especially in our surroundings we know.
On this day, let us ask God to continue to not only bless our Nation, but give us the grace to go forth and proclaim the good news both within our community and beyond. Comfort and the status quo don’t coincide with the needed spiritual mission we should undertake in order to bring Jesus into not only our own hearts with our weakness, but outside of our homes in ministering to others. If the Son of God was looked with skepticism and lack of trust by those he grew up with in His home town of Nazareth, then we should take note to always be ready to not lose sight of our own spiritual mission despite earthly tendencies and feelings. by family, friends and neighbors. On the US currency is the caption “In God We Trust” that should always be on our hearts, minds and sleeves each day. Paul was fully aware of placing his trust in our Lord despite his previous life of sin and persecution of the Christian people. We should always be ready to fulfill our mission as Christians and as those who live within the increased secularization of our world and Nation to always be ready to answer the call to proclaim the good news to others whenever possible.
May the Lord bless us and protect us from all evil this day. May our United States of America continue to represent the ethical and moral obligation to the weak and impoverished. May we as citizens of the USA, but more importantly citizens who long for a place in Heaven who are made in His image with unalienable rights and duties endowed to us by our Creator seek to answer the call to mission and service no matter how difficult it may be.
StreetEvangelist 