Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

Lectionary: 101B
Read: Mark 6:1-6

Gospel Summary
In last week’s Gospel reading, Jesus was able to heal the woman with the hemorrhage and to raise to life the daughter of Jairus because of the great faith each person possessed. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus is unable to perform any mighty deeds because of the lack of faith of the people in his hometown. He comments, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house” (Mark 6:4).

Reflection for Parents
In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of being without honor in one’s hometown, among one’s family members, and in one’s own home. In contrast, the Fourth Commandment states, “Honor your father and mother.” A person of honor—a person who gains honor—is a person of honesty, uprightness, ethics, morals, principles, virtue, goodness, and integrity. Take some quiet time to think about these qualities of a person—a parent—who deserves honor. Ask God to show you where you may need to grow and change.

Bringing the Good News Into Your Family
The Good News that Jesus had hoped to share with those in his hometown is the same Good News God calls us to share today. Invite family members to name this Good News. (For example: God has chosen you to be his own. God loves you. God forgives you. God has a plan for your life. God wants you to spend eternity in Heaven with him.) 

Talk about how you have shared or have tried to share this Good News with others in your family, with friends, with coworkers, or with classmates. Have they listened to what you had to say or not? How did this make you feel? How do you think Jesus felt when people in his hometown wouldn’t listen to what he had to say?

Discussion Starters

1. The Good News I would like to share today with our family is . . .
2. Someone else I know who needs to hear this Good News is . . .
3. I will share this Good News with him/her by . . .