When Faith Is Lacking

 

 Matthew 13:54-58

 Rejected In His Own Town

⁵⁴ Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. ⁵⁵ “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary, and aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶ Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” ⁵⁷ And they took offense at him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”

⁵⁸ And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

We might be surprised or feel bad to read of this poor reception, this lack of enthusiasm for the "hometown boy", but even today it is often the case. People get hung up on the messenger and reject the message. Picture that "bratty kid" who undergoes a major conversion, becomes a priest and returns to serve his home parish.  He might be acclaimed and accepted for the major "turn around". or he might be haunted by his past and the "I remember when" attitude of his parishioners.  The mission of Jesus was stymied in his hometown by the latter. Where do I stand with regard to those who come to minister, to teach, to carry the Word of God to us?  Let us pray for openness to the bearer of the message as well as to the message itself.

Bro. Rene

Dear God, let my heart be open to your Word and not be put off by the one who preaches it. Amen.