Sunday July 4, 2021 - Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time - The Spirit of the Lord is upon me: he sent me to bring the Good News to the poor - Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 6, 1-6

Dear Christians, in his village of origin, Jesus reveals himself in God the Redeemer. But his compatriots did not believe in him, because they know him by his family ties and by his relatives. That on the one hand, but on the other hand, there are those who are limited in their habits and do not admit any change, no evolution. At first glance, in both cases, we can speak of failure. So, let us be metamorphosed by the Gospel, open our hearts to God so that he can renew us. And in case of disavowal, because it is often our loved ones who do not recognize us, let us persevere in proclaiming the Good News.

Some of our attitudes also express this opposition to Jesus: we boast of being pious, of being good practitioners, when in reality, it is a facade just to be seen, whereas the faith is not well rooted. Let us remember the word of Jesus: "It is not by saying to me: Lord, Lord! That one will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but it is by doing the will of my Father". This prevents God from being able to act, as was the case in Nazareth: Jesus could not perform a miracle because of the unbelief of the people.

Finally, about faith and miracles: it is faith that makes miracles take place, as Jesus taught, however small it may be, faith can move a mountain. As long as we do not have faith, God cannot intervene, for Jesus is not a magician nor a simple illusionist who only wants to please and impress. It is faith that gives meaning to miracles which are the special expression of the work of God.

Faith therefore precedes everything, through it we can apprehend the will of God. So let's strengthen our faith. Faith is also a gift from God, let us implore his grace so that ours remains firm and faithful. Amen.