The spirit entered into me as I had been told and set me on my feet; and I heard the one who was speaking to me. He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have been obstinate in their rebellion against me to this very day….
EZEKIEL 2:2-5
The spirit entered into me as I had been told and set me on my feet; and I heard the one who was speaking to me. He said to me, “Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me. They and their ancestors have been obstinate in their rebellion against me to this very day. The children have stubborn faces and unyielding hearts. I am sending you to them to say, ‘Thus says the Lord Yahweh.’ And whether they listen or not—for they are a rebellious house—they will know that a prophet has been among them.”
This provides the necessary context for the correct reading of Mark. It is a constant in Israel (and in humanity) to refuse to listen to the Word. The entire Old Testament is a chronicle of Israel’s hard-heartedness, their persistent refusal to listen to Yahweh, and the misfortunes that this attitude brings upon them.
On the other hand, it is a constant in the Bible the uncomfortable, often perilous situation of the prophet. Announcing the Word is a dangerous mission, which often carries with it the rejection of the people.
Mark has taken a similar line: perhaps it is the gospel in which the obstinacy of the people and even the disciples themselves is best shown.
CORINTHIANS 12:7-10
So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 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.
Paul’s complex personality is well illustrated in this text: we do not know what this “thorn in the flesh” consists of. It must be taken into account that for Paul, “the flesh” is not simply his body of flesh and bone, but all that goes “against the spirit,” which opens up even more possibilities for interpretation.
But it is evident that Paul feels a slavery from which he wants to be freed and cannot. He takes advantage of it so as not to boast of all the gifts he has received; he even thanks God for it, because thus it becomes clear that all is the work of God, despite Paul’s limitations, his instrument.
José Enrique Galarreta