4 July 2021

And when he spoke to me, a spirit entered into me and set me on my feet; and I heard him speaking to me. He said to me, Mortal, I am sending you to the people of Israel, to a nation of rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors have transgressed against me to this very day.

Ephesians 2:19-22, NRSV

In today’s first reading, we hear about Ezekiel being called as a prophet. He was being sent to the exiled people of Israel in Babylon. It is clear that his task was not going to be easy since he was being sent to a “nation of rebels” who had become hard and stubborn. It was to be Ezekiel’s task, as with all prophets, to deliver God’s view on the situations and people to whom he was called. Even though Ezekiel was to bring a message of hope, many of the people refused to listen. In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus also experiences the rejection of his message when the people of his own town would not accept him.

• • Why did God send Ezekiel to the people of Israel when it was likely they would not listen to him?
  • Who are the prophets of our own days and how is their message received?

Be open to receiving the word of God from unexpected people and situations.