Sunday between 3 and 9 July
Fourteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B)
First Reading - Ezekiel 1.28b - 2.5
A reading from the book of the prophet Ezekiel. The heavens opened, and I saw visions of God. I bowed down, with my face to the ground. But a voice said, ‘Stand up, and I will speak with you.’ The Spirit entered into me, and set me on my feet. And the voice said, ‘I am sending you to my people, who have become a nation of rebels, shameless, and stubborn. For generations, they have rebelled against me. I am sending you to speak to them in the name of the Lord God. And whether they hear, or refuse to hear, they will know that there has been a prophet amongst them.’ This is the word of the Lord.Second Reading - 2 Corinthians 12.2-10
A reading from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians. I know someone, in Christ, who, fourteen years ago, was caught up into the third heaven. Whether this was in the body, or out of the body, I do not know; only God can know. But I know that this person was caught up into Paradise, and into an experience that no words can describe, and no mortal can tell. On behalf of such a person, I could boast; but on my own behalf, I will not boast - except of my weaknesses. If I were to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from boasting, so that you may judge me solely by what you see in me and hear from me.For despite
the exceptional character
of the revelations,
and to keep me from vanity,
I was given
a thorn in the flesh,
like a messenger of Satan,
to torment me.
Three times
I appealed to the Lord,
that it would leave me,
but the Lord has said to me, ‘My grace
is all that you need’,
and, ‘My strength
is made perfect
in weakness’.
So I boast all the more gladly
of my weaknesses,
that the power of Christ
may dwell within me.
Indeed,
I am content with weaknesses, insults,
hardships, persecutions, and more,
for the sake of Christ;
for when I am weak,
then I am strong.
This is the word of the Lord.