Ez 2.2-5; Ps 122 (123); 2Cor 12.7b-10; Mk 6: 1-6

By sending Ezekiel to Israel, God gives him a word: “Whether they listen or they don’t listen – since they are a rebellious family – they will at least know that a prophet is in their midst”. Even a rebellious family can recognize that they have a prophet in their midst, because in any case the prophetic word, even if rejected, manifests itself in all its strength and evidence. It resounds as a word from God, sealed by his authority. It is more difficult to discern the word of Jesus, or rather that word which is Jesus, precisely because it shows itself weak, naked, clothed with the fragility of our flesh. The greatness of Paul’s faith lies in discerning how God’s grace is manifested not only in his weakness, but as weakness. A powerful weakness, which can precisely because it is weak, which enriches precisely because it is poor. It is the paradox of Easter, of the weakness of a death that generates the power of life. And it is precisely Easter that Paul recognizes as acting in his own existence. He alludes to a thorn that bites his flesh. He does not explain to us what he refers to; he is interested in showing that God manifests himself not by freeing him from what torments him, but by helping him to recognize the situation that he suffers as a place of salvation. This is what the Nazaretans do not know how to do: recognize the merciful power of God manifested in the weakness of the flesh of Jesus.

Commentary by Comunità di Dumenza

Translation by f. Mark Hargreaves, Prinknash Abbey