But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” (Mt 13:57)

 

After Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, the crowds are amazed at his teachings.  When he goes back to Nazareth, his hometown and preaches in the synagogue, they too are astonished, but they take offense to him.  They know him.  They know his family and his background.  Isn’t he a carpenter?  Isn’t he the son of Mary?  Where did he get this wisdom and how did he perform these mighty deeds?  The people of Nazareth were so sure that they knew Jesus, one of their own, that they couldn’t believe what he was saying and doing.  Their obstinance closed their hearts to Jesus’ message of love and the Kingdom of God.  

Do we find ourselves sometimes behaving like the townspeople of Nazareth?  Do we believe that we know Jesus already and are closed to his presence and deaf to his calling?  Have we become complacent in our faith-life?  The people of Nazareth were in the presence of Jesus but did not recognize him for who he really was. Take time in prayer to be in the presence of Jesus, to recognize who he is and to ask him to help us to see our life as he does.  What in our lives is blocking us from deepening our relationship with our Lord?

 

Deacon Joe Trevino

St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church

Houston, TX