First Reading | Hebrews 12:4-7, 11-15
The root word of discipleship is “discipline.” This means we need to embrace the tedium and repetitiveness of learning a new way of life. It helps to keep our eyes fixed on the goal of our discipleship—eternal life in heaven. When we follow Jesus, there will be suffering just as there is suffering in any path of life we choose. However, with Jesus, our suffering has meaning.
4 Brothers and sisters: In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. 5 You have also forgotten the exhortation addressed to you as children: My son, do not disdain the discipline of the Lord or lose heart when reproved by him; 6 for whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; he scourges every son he acknowledges. 7 Endure your trials as “discipline”; God treats you as sons. For what “son” is there whom his father does not discipline? 11At the time, all discipline seems a cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained by it. 12 So strengthen your drooping hands and your weak knees. 13 Make straight paths for your feet, that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed. 14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for that holiness without which no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one be deprived of the grace of God, that no bitter root spring up and cause trouble, through which many may become defiled.
Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 103:1-2, 13-14, 17-18
R: The Lord’s kindness is everlasting to those who fear him.
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all my being, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (R) 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him, 14 for he knows how we are formed; he remembers that we are dust. (R) 17 But the kindness of the Lord is from eternity to eternity toward those who fear him, and his justice toward children’s children 18 among those who keep his covenant. (R)
Gospel | Mark 6:1-6
Those who knew Jesus best were the first to reject Him when He began His ministry as the Messiah. His relatives and friends could not see past the boy they grew up with and failed to step out in faith, which would help them recognize Jesus as Lord and Savior. We need to work on this so our faith will always be fresh and ready to respond to God’s call for us.
Gospel Acclamation
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord; I know them, and they follow me.
1 Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! 3 Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” 5 So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.
