Sunday, July 4, 2021

Gospel Reading

Mark 6:1-6

Jesus is rejected in his hometown.

Background on the Gospel Reading

Last Sunday's Gospel immediately follows upon last week’s stories of the raising of Jairus’s daughter and the healing of the woman with a hemorrhage. It sets the context of our Gospel readings for the next two weeks in which Jesus will extend the work of his ministry to his disciples.

Sunday’s Gospel describes what many believe to have been the typical pattern of Jesus’ ministry: teaching in the synagogue followed by acts of healing. In his hometown of Nazareth, the people are amazed by what they hear, but they also cannot comprehend how someone they know so well might move them so powerfully.

In this Gospel, we learn some interesting details about Jesus and his early life. Jesus’ kinfolk know him to be a carpenter, an artisan who works in wood, stone, and metal. He probably learned this trade from his father. Family members of Jesus are also named. Mark describes Jesus as the son of Mary, which is an unusual designation. Adult males were more typically identified with the name of their fathers. It is unclear why Mark deviates from this custom.

Brothers and sisters of Jesus are also named. Scholars are divided on how to interpret this. As Catholics, we believe that Mary was and remained always a virgin, thus we do not believe that this Gospel refers to other children of Mary. Some have suggested that these family members might be Joseph’s children from a previous marriage, but there is little evidence to support this. Others explain this reference by noting that the words brother and sister were often used to refer to other types of relatives, including cousins, nieces, and nephews.

This Gospel tells us that Jesus is hampered from performing miracles in Nazareth because of the people’s lack of faith. Jesus is said to be surprised by this. He did not predict or foresee this rejection. In this detail we find a description of the very human side of Jesus.

This passage unfolds a continuing theme of Mark’s Gospel: Who is Jesus? His kinfolk in Nazareth might know the carpenter, the son of Mary, but they do not know Jesus, the Son of God. Mark is foreshadowing Jesus’ rejection by his own people, the people of Israel. He is also reflecting on and trying to explain the situation of the community for which he wrote. While many of the first Christians were Jewish, Christianity took hold and flourished in the Gentile community. Mark’s community was mostly a Gentile community, who may have been experiencing persecution. By showing that Jesus himself was rejected, Mark consoles and reassures his first readers. He also prepares us to accept this possible consequence of Christian discipleship.

Story of Anne Marie Javouhey

Anne Marie Javouhey, born on 10 November 1779 in a village in Burgundy, heard the Spirit’s call to proclaim God’s love for all people without distinction of race, religion or social status.

Passionate and fearless, quick to love and to forgive, filled with a goodness that knew no limits or barriers, Mother Javouhey lived a life of intense union with God which strengthened her in times of trial and was the driving force behind her unconditional service of children, those sick in mind and body, those who were despised; all the poor who came her way.

Missionary expansion

As God’s call continued to reveal itself little by little, the Cluny Sisters were dispersed far beyond the plains of Chamblanc. The departure for Bourbon, a little known distant island, was both Anne-Marie’s response to that call and the realization of her vision and desire to respond to the needs of her day, no matter how great the difficulties might be. Before her death, the five continents would see her sisters arrive to educate, nurse and evangelize poor and rich, children and adults, blacks and whites, all “children of a common father”.

In French Guiana

“To break unjust fetters, to let the oppressed go free” Is.58

In Mana, a village was built, land was cleared for agriculture, lepers were settled in a lush area, and runaway slaves were welcomed and prepared for emancipation. Convinced that she was doing “God’s work”, Mother Javouhey was able, in spite of opposition and criticism, to assist hundreds of slaves to live their lives in freedom and peace.

From the Cluny Sisters of Ireland and Scotland:

https://clunysistersirelandscotland.org/spirituality/

Terry is married to Wendy, has two children and two grandchildren all of whom bring him great joy! He has been involved in teaching secondary students for many years, most recently as Deputy Principal at Aquinas College, a position he retired from four years ago. More recently, Terry has done relief teaching at Aquinas and the Northern Health School. He has also been employed by the Diocese for presentations on Safeguarding in the parish as well as being part of a team leading Catholic Character Reviews in schools in the Diocese.

Order individual cookies (60g) or take-home Cookie Bites buckets (one serious mouthful!) to share. Only premium ingredients are used. No colourings, no preservatives, no artificial flavours. Only the best ingredients make it into the cookies. The buckets contain cookie bites which are perfect for those mini cravings. We do find however that stopping at one or two bites is near impossible.

Individual Cookies - 4 flavours

Fairy bread, chocolate chunk, triple chocolate, vegan $3 each ($1 goes to school)

Cookie Bites Buckets – 3 flavours

Fairy bread, chocolate chunk, triple chocolate – 2 sizes available

20 Bites - $14.90 ($2 goes to school)

40 Bites - $28.90 ($4 goes to school)

Ordering through Kindo will open on 21 June 2021 and close off at 10pm 9 July 2021 with distribution being the first week of term 3.