Embracing Faith: Breaking Assumptions to Receive Grace

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of Faith and Openness

When Jesus returned to His hometown, He was met with skepticism and disbelief. Despite His wisdom and miracles, the people could not see beyond their preconceived notions of Him as merely the carpenter's son. This lack of faith hindered Jesus from performing many miracles there. This passage invites us to examine our own lives and the assumptions we make about others, which can limit their potential and our ability to receive God's grace. We must strive to see beyond our assumptions and allow God's grace to flow freely. [23:26]

Mark 6:4-6 (ESV): "And Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.' And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. And he marveled because of their unbelief."

Reflection: Think of someone in your life whom you have underestimated or judged based on past experiences. How can you open your heart to see them through God's eyes and allow His grace to work in your relationship with them?

Day 2: God's Spirit Lifts Us Up

The first reading emphasizes the transformative power of God's Spirit, which can lift us up and set us firmly on our feet. This is a powerful reminder that in times of prayer and adoration, we should seek God's presence to strengthen and guide us, enabling us to stand tall in our faith. When we feel weak or uncertain, God's Spirit is there to empower us and give us the courage to move forward. [29:19]

Ezekiel 2:1-2 (ESV): "And he said to me, 'Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak with you.' And as he spoke to me, the Spirit entered into me and set me on my feet, and I heard him speaking to me."

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to feel the lifting power of God's Spirit? Spend time in prayer today, asking God to fill you with His Spirit and give you the strength to stand firm in your faith.

Day 3: Sufficiency of God's Grace

St. Paul's experience of pleading with God to remove his affliction, only to be told, "My grace is sufficient for you," highlights the sufficiency of God's grace in our weaknesses. This teaches us to trust in God's presence and strength, even when we face challenges and difficulties. God's grace is enough to sustain us, and His power is made perfect in our weaknesses. [30:34]

2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (ESV): "But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

Reflection: Identify a specific weakness or challenge you are currently facing. How can you rely on God's grace to sustain you and find strength in His power today?

Day 4: Breaking Free from Assumptions

We often place others in boxes based on our assumptions and preconceived notions, which can limit their potential and our ability to receive God's grace. By breaking free from these assumptions, we allow ourselves and others to grow and be transformed by God's love and power. This openness can lead to deeper relationships and a greater understanding of God's work in our lives. [28:02]

James 2:1-4 (ESV): "My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, 'You sit here in a good place,' while you say to the poor man, 'You stand over there,' or, 'Sit down at my feet,' have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?"

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you made an assumption about someone that turned out to be incorrect. How can you practice seeing others without judgment and allowing God's grace to work through you?

Day 5: Trusting in God's Plan

As we navigate our own journeys and transitions, it is crucial to trust in God's plan for us. Whether we are facing new beginnings or challenges, we can be confident that God is with us, guiding and strengthening us every step of the way. This trust allows us to embrace the fullness of our faith and live out our calling as Christians. [31:47]

Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Reflection: Think about a current situation where you are struggling to trust God's plan. What steps can you take today to surrender your worries to Him and trust that He is guiding you?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, everyone. Today, we gathered to celebrate the Eucharist and reflect on the readings, particularly from the Gospel of Mark. Jesus returned to His hometown, where He was met with skepticism and disbelief. Despite His wisdom and miracles, the people could not see beyond their preconceived notions of Him as merely the carpenter's son. This lack of faith hindered Jesus from performing many miracles there. This passage invites us to examine our own lives and the assumptions we make about others, which can limit their potential and our ability to receive God's grace.

I shared a bit about my journey to becoming a priest, from my early inspirations to my seminary days and my various assignments. This personal reflection ties into the broader theme of today's readings: the importance of openness and faith in God's plan for us. Just as Jesus was limited by the lack of faith in His hometown, we too can be hindered by our own doubts and the boxes we place others in.

The first reading reminds us of the power of God's Spirit to lift us up and set us on our feet, while the second reading from St. Paul speaks to the sufficiency of God's grace, even in our weaknesses. Paul’s experience of pleading with God to remove his affliction, only to be told, "My grace is sufficient for you," resonates deeply. It teaches us to trust in God's presence and strength, especially during challenging times.

As we move forward as a parish, let us strive to break free from our assumptions and embrace the fullness of God's grace. Let us be open to the ways God wants to work in and through us, trusting that He is with us in every situation. Together, we can grow in our faith and love for Jesus Christ, allowing His truth to set us free and make a difference in our lives and the world around us.

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Key Takeaways

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2. God's Spirit Lifts Us Up: The first reading emphasizes the transformative power of God's Spirit, which can lift us up and set us firmly on our feet. This is a powerful reminder that in times of prayer and adoration, we should seek God's presence to strengthen and guide us, enabling us to stand tall in our faith.

3. Sufficiency of God's Grace: St. Paul's experience of pleading with God to remove his affliction, only to be told, "My grace is sufficient for you," highlights the sufficiency of God's grace in our weaknesses. This teaches us to trust in God's presence and strength, even when we face challenges and difficulties.

4. Breaking Free from Assumptions: We often place others in boxes based on our assumptions and preconceived notions, which can limit their potential and our ability to receive God's grace. By breaking free from these assumptions, we allow ourselves and others to grow and be transformed by God's love and power.

5. Trusting in God's Plan: As we navigate our own journeys and transitions, it is crucial to trust in God's plan for us. Whether we are facing new beginnings or challenges, we can be confident that God is with us, guiding and strengthening us every step of the way. This trust allows us to embrace the fullness of our faith and live out our calling as Christians.

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Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[11:18] - Epiphany Renewal Prayer
[15:05] - Litany of Mercy
[22:44] - Gospel Reading: Mark
[24:17] - Introduction and Personal Journey
[27:10] - Reflection on Jesus' Rejection
[29:19] - First Reading: God's Spirit
[30:34] - Second Reading: St. Paul’s Weakness
[31:47] - Trusting in God's Plan
[34:08] - Profession of Faith
[43:16] - Eucharistic Prayer
[49:05] - The Lord's Prayer
[51:10] - Lamb of God
[51:52] - Communion
[62:23] - Closing Blessing and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What was the reaction of the people in Jesus' hometown when He taught in the synagogue?
How did Jesus respond to the lack of faith in His hometown?
What did St. Paul plead with God to remove, and what was God's response?
In the first reading, what does the Spirit do to Ezekiel?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the people in Jesus' hometown were unable to see beyond their preconceived notions of Him?
How does Paul's experience of God's grace in his weakness relate to our own struggles and challenges?
What does it mean for the Spirit to lift us up and set us on our feet, as described in Ezekiel?
How can breaking free from our assumptions about others allow God's grace to work more fully in our lives?

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you made assumptions about someone that limited your ability to see their true potential. How can you approach similar situations differently in the future?
In what areas of your life do you struggle with doubt or lack of faith? How can you cultivate a more open and receptive heart to God's work?
Think of a current challenge or weakness you are facing. How can you lean into God's grace and trust in His sufficiency, as Paul did?
How can you actively seek the presence of God's Spirit in your daily life to strengthen and guide you?
Identify a person in your life whom you have placed in a "box" based on your assumptions. What steps can you take to break free from these assumptions and allow God's grace to transform your relationship with them?
As a parish community, how can we support each other in trusting God's plan and embracing the fullness of our faith, especially during times of transition or challenge?
What specific actions can you take this week to grow in your faith and love for Jesus Christ, allowing His truth to set you free and make a difference in your life and the world around you?

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for outreach

1. "The readings this weekend really invite us to reflect on what we bring and the assumptions I think that people make about us. Probably an interesting weekend to read these readings here. Jesus goes to his own town in his home synagogue in Nazareth where everybody knows him. And they're hearing the rumblings of what's been taking place in his ministry and as he comes home and right before this passage he gets up and reads from the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, the spirit of the Lord is upon me because he has anointed me to bring glad tidings to the poor, recovery of sight to the blind, to set the captives free." [27:10] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "Jesus is unable to do anything for them because they don't want it. They're not willing to receive it. And the reality is it comes from their preconceived notions of who Jesus is, and they have him in that nice little box. And it's something that we all do to people. You know, we have, this is what this person is, this is who this person is, this is what this person does, this is what, you know, they are like. And we do it within our marriages, we do it in all of our relationships." [28:02] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "In my weakness, I realize that God enters in and brings strength out of me, and he allows me to do the best I can do in this particular moment, situation, whatever challenge. It might be that I can be confident, you know, in God's presence in his life. And I think it's, you know, we pray from that vantage point, you know, of trying to not make assumptions and presumptions about other people, to let Jesus be, you know, himself for all of us, to really bring his truth to our lives, to be renewed, you know, in him." [30:34] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "The more we enter into that in a trusting way, I think the more we live out the term of being a Christian, one who walks in communion with Christ, and asking God's grace to work in and through us. And so, in a very real way, I was coming in as pastor, entrusting ministry here to Christ, asking that, you know, he continue to guide me and strengthen me in service of the community, that, you know, all of us, we can grow together as Christians, and our love for Jesus Christ, and what he offers to us in the gift of faith." [31:47] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And so, as we pray from the vantage point, we just ask the Lord to shower his spirit upon us, set us firmly on our feet, strengthen us, and who we are as individuals, and that we can continue to unite ourselves to each other, to Christ, as members of the body of Christ." [31:47] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for members

1. "You know, so many great themes to reflect on. And I just, obviously, with a move and coming to a new community, I'm kind of reflecting my own journey just a little bit and just a little bit of introduction. I was born in New Jersey. It was because my father worked for Sears, a Roebuck company. He was transferred from Chicago to New York. And I was born when they were out there for a couple years and came back when I was five years old. And actually, one of my first thoughts of being a priest is when I was five years old, the priest came up to bless my parents' new house." [24:56] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "I started thinking about being a priest and being a counselor and started looking at grad schools for counseling and decided to, I went on a vocation retreat. I was getting ready to graduate, couldn't figure out exactly what I wanted to do. I called one of our priests, Monsignor Mike Bliss, and called him to see what to do. He sent me on this Emmaus Days vocation retreat. I had never heard of it. I had never been. And went on the retreat. And there, just had a kind of a religious experience. And I felt a call. And so I entered in." [25:39] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "It's been a great journey for me to be a priest. I love being a priest. I love all we get to do as priests and the different encounters that we have with people on a daily basis. And every day is new. You never know what's going to come in the priesthood. And to be with the good times and the bad times, the challenges, the difficulties really is a great joy for me." [26:23] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "And what it did was it prevented him from doing what he wanted to do. Doing any mighty work. We see in this, the first reading, the prophet, it's kind of a powerful line. It's a good thing to pray with. You know, in the Adoration Chapel, you come in to pray. It's the Spirit entered into me and stood me on my feet, you know, where I stood up straight. And it's one, it's a great line for us to reflect on when we're seeking God's grace, that we reflect on God entering into us and standing us firmly in who we are, and what he's calling us to be." [29:19] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "And I think that's a place where we can be confident in God's presence in our lives, and being aware, very aware, that no matter what comes our way, you know, he's walking with us, that Christ is here. And the more we enter into that in a trusting way, I think the more we live out the term of being a Christian, one who walks in communion with Christ, and asking God's grace to work in and through us." [30:34] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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