Readings: Ezekiel 2:2-5; 2 Cor. 12:7-10; Mk 6:1-6.
The Thorns in Our
Flesh may Be Strength from God.
1. We often think that whatever we are going through in life may be peculiar to us alone. We may even think that God is punishing us by inflicting us with sickness, loss or deprivation. At times we may think that others are more blessed, prosperous or better endowed than us. This explains why we may be jealous or envious of other’s good fortunes, like their marriage, positions, beauty, status or family. These feelings, though very human, may be very far from the truth. For though all lizards lie on their bellies, no one knows which among them has stomachache. Or like Shakespeare would say in Macbeth, “There’s no art to find the mind’s construction in the face.”
2. Today’s readings present us with life’s unpleasant realties. Ezekiel felt unworthy, when sent to preach to a rebellious people. “I am sending you to the Israelites, rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have revolted against me to this very day. Hard of face and obstinate of heart are they who I am sending you.” (Ez. 2:3-5). Preaching to a rebellious people is already very unpleasant, but terrible when the messenger feels unworthy. For the prophet, the thorn in his flesh is the burden of preaching to a rebellious people. But the grace of God made it possible for Ezekiel. “The Spirit entered into me.” We must rely on help from above if we are to deal with the problems of life. Hence, in the Psalm we pray, “Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, pleading for his mercy.”
3. In the second reading, Paul, a successful preacher is blessed from above. He “Was caught up into Paradise and heard ineffable things, which no one may utter.” (2 Cor. 12:4). But he had life’s unpleasant realities too. “That I, Paul, might not become too elated, because of the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, an angel of Satan, to beat me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:9). Paul’s weakness humbled him. We do not know what Paul suffered from, but it made him as human as any of us. Paul discovered that his pains did not change the way God felt about him. He was loved in spite of his brokenness, weakness, shortcomings and limitations. Our weakness are reminders of how much God loves us for we are thorns in God’s flesh. “God created man in his image; in the divine image he created him; male and female he created them.” (Gen.1:27).
4. Like Paul and Ezekiel, other prophets also had their share of thorns. Isaiah was unworthy, “Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips.” He was cleansed: “Now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.” (Is. 6: 5-8). Jeremiah was too young, “Ah, Lord God!” I said, “I know not how to speak; I am too young. Say not, “I am too young.” (Jer. 1:6-7). Moses was a reluctant prophet. He had many excuses, but God insisted that he was the right person for the job. He told God that he was not a good speaker, “If you please, Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past, nor recently, nor now that you have spoken to your servant; but I am slow of speech and tongue.” God reminded Moses who he was, “Who gives one man speech and makes another deaf and dumb? (Ex. 3:4-4: 17). Christ was willing, but he was rejected by his people, as we read in today’s Gospel. “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! and they took offense at him.”
5. We all have our share of thorns. Some are caused by us while others are brought on us by people. How do you handle your thorns? The truth, like the music tells us: “When your day is night alone, if you feel like letting go (hold on) if you think you’ve had too much of this life, well hang on, cause everybody hurts, sometimes, everybody cries, sometimes.” You are not alone! Many times, we are burdened by our thorns. Be it rejection, sickness, death, broken heart, drugs, money problem, bad marriage, debt burden, fear, sexual orientation or whatever it may be. Like Jesus, we may be rejected by our parents, children, bothers, sisters, spouses, co-workers, friends, peers and even church members. They may not get pass their knowledge of you to the new you. God is not punishing you it is what it is, a thorn in your flesh. This may be strength from God, so don’t quit, hang in there and trust in God. You may pray about it for as long as you have, but the thorn is still there. Listen to Paul: “Three times I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me, but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor. 12:8-9). God does turn anyone away from himself. No matter how many people reject you, God is always there for you. For “We know that all things work for good for those who love God.” (Rom. 8:28). God bless you. Amen! Happy 4th!
Rev. Augustine
Etemma Inwang, MSP
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