Daily Mass Reading Reflection (Nov 15, 2024)
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In today’s Gospel, Jesus returns home—and is rejected. “Isn’t this the carpenter?” they ask with contempt. The people of Nazareth were so familiar with Jesus’ humanity that they couldn’t see His divinity. Their closeness became a barrier to faith. It’s a chilling reminder that we, too, can be blind to God’s presence when He shows up in ordinary ways.
God doesn’t always come with thunder and fire. More often, He arrives quietly—in a scripture verse we’ve heard before, a homily we nearly tune out, or a conversation with someone we take for granted. Like the people of Nazareth, we may miss the miracle because it wears a familiar face. We must ask: Are we too comfortable to be converted?
Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians turn everything upside down: “When I am weak, then I am strong.” God doesn’t need our perfection—He wants our surrender. True strength lies in embracing our limitations and allowing God to work through them. It’s not talent that transforms the world, but trust.
Ezekiel is sent to a stubborn people—not to be celebrated, but to be faithful. Whether they listen or not, the message must be spoken. The same is true for us. The prophet’s voice may come through an unexpected source. The question is not whether God is speaking—but whether we are listening.
"Whether they heed or resist… they shall know that a prophet has been among them.”
Don’t miss the prophet in your midst.
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Cycle B)
Readings: Ezekiel 2:2–5; Psalm 123; 2 Corinthians 12:7–10; Mark 6:1–6
Mike Schramm lives in southeastern Minnesota with his wife and seven children. There, he teaches theology and philosophy at Aquinas High School and Viterbo University. He earned his MA in theology from St. Joseph's College in Maine and an MA in philosophy from Holy Apostles College. He is also the managing editor of the Voyage Compass, an imprint of Voyage Comics and Publishing, and co-hosts the Voyage Podcast with Jacob Klatte.
