July 7, 2024
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Still Astonished?
…and many who heard him were astonished.
Mark 6:2

It’s easy enough to read the accounts of Jesus in the Gospels and imagine the astonishment of those who encountered him. He taught with authority and great creativity. He told stories to which they could relate. He turned water into wine, fed thousands from a small basket of bread and fish, healed the sick and even raised the dead. How could they not be astonished? How could they not follow him?

But those stories are and must be for us more than history lessons or the recollections of some great philosopher, prophet and poet. For we are called not just to know about Jesus but to know him. We are invited into relationship with him. As we listen to his words and remember his miracles, we are called to be astonished still, fed still, changed and challenged still to live a life of prayer, worship and service.

Astonish me today, O Lord. Challenge and change me. I am ready to serve.

- Steve Givens

Ezekiel 2:2-5 ✚ Psalm 123:1-4 ✚ 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 ✚ Mark 6:1-6a
Macro abstract view of a monarch butterfly feeding on the flower blossoms of an attractive rosy, pink swamp milkweed plant. Image by Cynthia | stock.adobe.com
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Comments

July 7, 2024 at 05:56 PM

Steve, beautiful reflection! Transform me oh Lord! With my son in Florence. Absolutely beautiful. Tomorrow a tour of the Duomo. Blessings to all. Amen.

July 7, 2024 at 05:43 PM

Sharing with you, "DAY FIVE “Whoever has ears, let them hear...” *** READ “Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” Revelation 2:7 *** REFLECT Revelation’s earliest readers understood that living for Jesus requires persevering faith. Today, we too are called to persevere in our faith, even as the world seeks to draw our attention away from Christ. If we do not deliberately seek the Lord above all else, the noise around us quickly drowns out God’s Word. Revelation offers clear warnings and a sure path to victory for those with ears to hear what the Spirit says. *** PRAY Ask God to give you ears to hear and a heart to recognize God’s wisdom and guidance. Pray also for your fellow Christains, that together we will persevere in the faith."

July 7, 2024 at 05:39 PM

Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, and all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.

July 7, 2024 at 12:50 PM

Amen. :)

July 7, 2024 at 11:07 AM

Hmmm... *** They were astonished (amazed) hearing Jesus' teaching in Mark 6:2a, "When the Sabbath day came, He began to teach in the synagogue. Many who heard Him were amazed." *** Yet, they took offense (not pleased) at Jesus...questioning His source of wisdom in Mark 6:2bc-3, "“Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been given to Him? What are these remarkable miracles He is doing? Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son? Isn’t this the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t His sisters here with us?” They were not pleased with Him at all!" *** Jesus explained their lack of faith in Mark 6"6, "He was amazed because they had no faith!" ******* So what does having faith look like? Paul's testimony gives us a glimpse of his faith in 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, "God has shown me amazing and wonderful things. People should not think more of me because of it. So I wouldn’t become proud of myself, I was given a problem. This problem caused pain in my body. It is a messenger from Satan to make me suffer. Three times I begged the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak.” So I am very happy to brag about how weak I am. Then Christ’s power can rest on me. Because of how I suffered for Christ, I’m glad that I am weak. I am glad in hard times. I am glad when people say mean things about me. I am glad when things are difficult. And I am glad when people make me suffer. When I am weak, I am strong!" *** Are you suffering? *** Are you having a hard time? *** Are people saying mean things about you or cancel/ignore you because of what you say or write? ******* Take heart, when I am weak, I am strong in Christ alone :-) I am glad things are difficult so I learn to depend on Christ alone :-) I am resolved when people made me sad so I go Christ constantly :-) *** Hmmm...I can relate (not that I am like Jesus but more like Paul :-)...some are astonished (amazed) at how much Salina knows about (more like quotes) God's Word and yet some take offense (not pleased) to her writing and sharing :-(

July 7, 2024 at 09:58 AM

Amen :)

July 7, 2024 at 08:19 AM

Thank you for this reflection, Steve. " Great occasions for serving God come seldom, but little ones surround us daily." St. Francis de Sales

July 7, 2024 at 07:36 AM

Praying for Chris and everyone else in the LFF.

July 7, 2024 at 12:28 AM

Thank you Steve for your contributions to this site. Living faith family today I am asking for your prayers for my son Chris who had a bad day yesterday.. Please also keep Christine and Stephanie and Debbie and Anna in your prayers. VickyG know that You are in my prayers Jane hope your job experiences are settled down Ken

Bill L.
July 7, 2024 at 06:21 PM

Ken, I will be praying this evening's rosary for you and your family.

jane
July 7, 2024 at 05:47 PM

Ken, May all be well with Chris and his soul be at rest. In addition, may God send His light to Christine, Stephanie, Debbie and Anna to light their way and lighten their burden. Walk with them on their journey and ensure they have the strength for the journey. Ken, thank you for remembering that my work situation is not ideal. I will return from vacation and during August find out my fate. Regardless of decision, I will be fine. The hardest part will be if my current/new boss delivers a bad message to me ….I’m still trying to work through that. Heavy sigh. oh well…Ken, thank you for that prayer. Amen.

Salina
July 7, 2024 at 11:13 AM

Pray that God reveals Himself to Chris in a personal and powerful way in Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is close to those whose hearts have been broken. He saves those whose spirits have been crushed!" Amen ✝️

peggyR
July 7, 2024 at 10:30 AM

Lifting Christine, Debbie, Stephanie and Anna in prayer today as well.

peggyR
July 7, 2024 at 10:19 AM

Sending prayers of comfort for your son Chris today, Ken. Hoping the days ahead will be better for him. God bless you, Dear Ken.

Irene
July 7, 2024 at 08:13 AM

Ken, may your son, Chris, have a better day today & every day forward. He will be in my prayers.

Sarah
July 7, 2024 at 07:54 AM

Thank you for the devotion today and everyday. Ken, praying for your son Chris for better days ahead and strength to get through the hard days.

Joann
July 7, 2024 at 07:25 AM

Prayers for Chris.

Ma
July 7, 2024 at 06:55 AM

Ken - will keep your son Chris in my thoughts and prayers today.

Cheryl
July 7, 2024 at 06:50 AM

Amen.. thank you Steve...Ken, I pray that Chris has a much better day today and the coming days ahead

Kathy J
July 7, 2024 at 06:37 AM

Ken- I will pray for your son Chris this morning at 8:00 mass and write his name in the book of prayers. Praying that today and forward he has better days ahead✝️

Macro abstract view of a monarch butterfly feeding on the flower blossoms of an attractive rosy, pink swamp milkweed plant. Image by Cynthia | stock.adobe.com
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