Today is the 4th of July - around our town this is a big deal - so there will be a parade and all sorts of activities in the park and fireworks tonight - it is fun to see so many folks coming back to town for this weekend - always interesting to see those who left here after high school and to discover all that they have accomplished - I noticed that in the Gospel rading for this Sunday - that Jesus returns to his home town - and the peole there find him too much - they are amazed at his preaching and his confidence and his deep spirituality - as well as the magnificent things that he has accomplsihed - he is well know throughout all of Galilee - but for them he is just one of those who grew up in this town - just a carpenter - they know his family - the Gospel says - he is too much for them - they just can't accept him and his teaching - I guess that could happen to many who will be coming back to town for the 4th - we will be surprised at all that they have accomplished - and may even have our doubts.
The 4th is about freedom and independence - unfortunately, it becomes a day of remembrance of wars and battles and deaths - so for me it is day of prayer for peace - may peace come soon to this world of ours - let us never lose hope that peace is possible - may we begin by bringing the spirit of peace into our lives - when we live in peace - we have begun to make our world a place of peace.
This Sunday I will focus on the Second reading - this reading is from the Second Letter to the Corinthians - it is a rather familiar section - it is here that Paul speaks of the fact that he has a "thorn in the flesh" - we never do find out exactly what he is talking about - but the expression is common to all of us - many have spoken of "a thorn in the flesh" that has upset their lives - what it is for Paul we do not know - possibly - illness, a worry, the burdens of life, an addiction, a compulsion - or even possibly another person - someone at work - a neighbor - or even in the family.
Paul says - that he has often begged God to move this "thorn" - and God's message comes back to him - "My grace is sufficient for you - for power is made perfect in weakness" - God can and does work through our human weakness - Paul recognizes that this "thorn" has kep him humble - and so he accepts his weakness and powerlessness - "Therefore, I am content with weakness, insults, hardships, persecutaions - for the sake of Christ - for when I am weak, then I am strong."
I suspect that many of us can think of many examples of this - I know many disable people whose accomplishments amaze me - I know so many who have suffered so much who continue to find success in life - I can think of those that the world would not expect much - who accomplish so much - and I know that there are so many times when I feel very incompetent - to give me the support, the help, the guidance to accomplish what I must undertake.
So - for us - in our weakness - we experience the power of God; in our darkness - we experience his light; in our sins - we experience his mercy. So, I thank God - I rejoice in my God - God has supported me in so many ways - I am certain many of you - parents, teachers, leaders - can join me in thanking God - who has supported and lead each one of us - even when we are weak - and feel useless.
LET US PRAY
Almighty God, my Father - I turn to you today through the intercession of St. Paul - I thank you for standing with - especially when I feel weak - when I feel useless - when I am not certain I can accomplish this task - with you I can do all things - even when I am weak. this is my prayer.
Amen.
Please join me as we say together the Lord's Prayer.
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