FOURTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR B (THE DIVINE INVITATIONS IN OUR WEAKNESSES)

God’s strength makes up for our weaknesses. Rather than become reasons for despair, our weaknesses beckon for and propel us to reach out to God. Therefore, an awareness of one’s weaknesses is an invitation to be open to God’s grace to experience his power over us as today’s second reading tells us. No matter our weaknesses or stories, they are transformed when touched by God’s grace.

In today’s Gospel Jesus is despised by his people because of his humble beginning and family background. To them, he was simply the son of Joseph, the Carpenter.

Familiarity could easily blur our vision of the transcendent in others, often making us despise the prophets among us. Sometimes we consider others no channel of grace because of their weaknesses and stories. But St. Paul counters all that and tells us that our weaknesses are not disqualifications as people might think but an opportunity to be open to the supernatural so that Christ's power may stay over us. 

Jesus did not allow his humble beginning and background to stop him, nor did St. Paul allow his past to weaken his Hope in God. Rather these became opportunities to be open to God’s grace. Jesus was despised, but through him, the saving Grace is revealed. Let us therefore be open to the power of grace even in our weaknesses.