The midst of the crowds. The faith of those who are healed is contrasted with the human “logic” of the disciples: “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” (Mark 5:31); “Your daughter has died; why trouble the teacher any longer?” (Mark 5:35). These statements reflect a lack of hope, instead of the faith that comes from an encounter with Jesus Christ, the Lord of death and life. It is important for us to hear and reflect upon the word proclaimed today with a deep faith and an ardent desire to live in the Lord! The Gospel narrative is complemented by a passage from the Book of Wisdom that proclaims that God does not want us to die. Rather, he wants us to live in his love and generosity. These texts not only refer to physical death, but to the type of death of those who, though baptized Christians, have not yet encountered and recognized the power of Jesus Christ in the Church. This message requires the attention of the entire liturgical assembly and may also be used as a discussion topic for ministers outside of Sunday worship (in youth groups especially!). What does it mean to die? What does it mean to be embraced by the love and gift of Jesus, the Lord, even in death? The prophet Ezekiel is known as the most prominent prophet of Israel’s exile. Once again in salvation history, God calls the prophet to guide the people on the right path despite their hardened and disobedient hearts. God does not abandon them on their journey. As Saint Paul narrates in the second Letter to the Corinthians, God is present in the midst of weakness and disobedience. As God does not abandon his own, God does not abandon us, and becomes present among us through his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus calls us to preach the good news of salvation and promises to lead all who believe in him into his glory. In order to “live in Christ,” one must have faith and accept God’s will above all things. In today’s Gospel, Jesus does not find faith among his own people. Instead, he finds the hardened hearts of those who do not believe that he can heal in the name of the Father. At times, we also get caught in tension between faith and unbelief, grace and sin, God’s strength and human weakness. We must never forget that God is with us, teaching us the way of new life in which his strength and generosity triumph over unfaithfulness and sin.
-Saul Oñate, DRE
XIV Domingo Ordinario
Se le atribuye a Ezequiel el título de profeta clave del exilio Israelita. Una vez más, en la historia de la salvación, Dios llama al profeta y lo envía a guiar a su pueblo, a pesar de ser un pueblo testarudo y pecador. Sin embargo, como dice san Pablo en su carta a los Corintios, Dios está presente en medio de esa desobediencia y debilidad. Así como Dios nunca abandonó a ese pueblo obstinado, tampoco nos abandona a nosotros, sino que se hace presente por medio de su Único Hijo, Jesucristo, quien nos llama a predicar la Buena Nueva de la salvación y a conducir a los que le buscan por la fe hacia la verdadera felicidad. La fe, por lo tanto, se convierte en el primer criterio para vivir en Jesús y aceptar la voluntad Divina por encima de todo. Jesús en el Evangelio de hoy no encuentra mucha fe entre los suyos. Una vez más, descubre entre su gente a hombres y mujeres testarudas y obstinados que no creen en la salud que Jesús, en nombre del Padre, les brinda. Todos vivimos casi aprisionados por la tensión entre la fe y la incredulidad, la gracia y el pecado, la fuerza de Dios y la debilidad de nuestras emociones. Sin embargo, no podemos olvidarnos de que Dios siempre está junto a nosotros para mostrarnos una nueva vida en la que su fuerza y su generosidad prevalecen por encima de la incredulidad y del pecado. En este contexto, convendría que el comité parroquial de liturgia insertara tanto en la homilía del día o en los textos que se utilizan como Comentario o Preces este tema combinado que brota de los textos bíblicos de este domingo: la fe como regalo de Dios ante la debilidad humana y el liderazgo en la Iglesia de hoy, ante la incredulidad que a veces sentimos o que presenciamos en los demás.