A prophet’s role: A disturber of the peace … or sleep!

As we continue our journey through the Gospel of St. Mark, we notice a change in the flavor of things, as we move to Chapter 6 of the Gospel. Jesus’ role and mission as prophet is brought into sharp focus and we hear of an opposition, or even non-acceptance, of this mission. Jesus has just raised up from the dead the little daughter of Jairus. Even then, some people laughed at, or ridiculed, Jesus’ words. Our readings this weekend and for the next few weeks, also invite us to look again at our role in continuing the mission and ministry of Jesus. They prepare us both for the joys of such a task and also the possible pushbacks or frustrations in that great work.

As usual, the Old Testament reading (Ezekiel 2:2-5) is a “type” or a pointer to the Gospel. God has chosen Ezekiel to be a prophet at a time when the people had turned away from God. That beautiful and life-giving relationship or covenant between God and His people was being ignored by so many. Ezekiel was sent to warn the people of two life-killing or spirit-killing attitudes: a hardness of heart or pride, and a hardness of head or stubbornness! Sadly, Ezekiel’s words of warning were largely ignored and disaster ensues.

In the Second Reading (2 Corinthians 12:7-10), St. Paul continues his more personal reflections on mission and ministry and the ups and downs of this. Given his many successes, Paul could have become boastful or arrogant, but, we read, God gave him a “thorn in the flesh.” Many have speculated for 2,000 years on what this “thorn in the flesh” might be: an illness, a physical disability or mark, tribulations and disappointments, or a particular weakness or temptation? Who knows?! In fact, the nature of this is not really important in the end. Instead, Paul realized that it is a reminder for him about humility and that God’s love and grace are what is at work in him.

Our Gospel (Mark 6:1-6) recounts an incident as Jesus returns to his home area and preaches in the local synagogue. His powerful deeds are mentioned and his amazing words of wisdom too; and yet, the listeners do not accept him. In fact, they “take offense” at him. The word or verb in the original language is quite strong: the listeners literally were: “scandalized by,” or “stumbled over” Jesus’ words and preaching. We even hear reasons why this was so: he is just a carpenter (not a scribe, or an important person, or a rich man) and we know his mother and relatives (apparently ordinary people or nobodies).

In other words, there was a filter or a block in the people receiving God’s Word in Jesus. What is more, so many wonderful works could have been done by Jesus in the community; such as healing the physically or spiritually sick. Sadly, this opportunity was squandered because of this blockage. Many commentators note that we need to go deeper than the reasons given by the crowd, and to ask why this block was so strong? Perhaps it was because they did not like what they heard? Jesus’ message disturbed their comfy life and was, to use the words of St. Ignatius of Loyola, like a spiritual sting or bite! Yet, after all, is not this the role of a true prophet? There is that wry saying that one would only invite a prophet once to dinner!

Jesus comes into our life, often through others, even those (or especially those) we despise or have written off. Do we listen and receive God’s Word in and through them? Or, do we rush to put on some salve or soothing balm (excuse) to take away that spiritual sting or bite? May our Lord not be “astounded” by our lack of faith. We are also called to be prophets and yes, sometimes to say something that will not be well received. Do we have the courage to do this? Yes, we are called to be peace-makers (as in the Beatitudes, Matthew 5:9), but, on occasion, God asks us to be disturbers of the peace, especially when that peace might be some sort of spiritual or social slumber!

A prayer can assist us as we conclude our reflection:

Disturb us O Lord Prayer
Disturb us O Lord.
When we are too pleased with ourselves,
When our dreams have come true only
Because we dreamed too little,
When we have arrived safely only
Because we sailed close to the shore.
Stir us, O Lord, to dream more boldly,
To venture on more seas
Where storms will show us your power,
Where in losing sight of the land
We shall find the stars instead.
We ask this in the name of Jesus,
Who expands the horizons of our hopes
And who invites the brave,
Not the comfortable,
To follow Him.
Amen.