among us?” So they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “Prophets are despised only in their own country, among their relatives, and in their own family.” And he
could work no miracles there, but only healed a few sick people, by laying his hands on them. Jesus himself was astounded at their unbelief.
Lectio Divina:
READ: Jesus returned to His home country and during Sabbath began to teach
in the synagogue. His words won the admiration of His countrymen and women.
However, they knew Him and His family. This familiarity made them hostile to
His display of wisdom. Because of this, Jesus could not work miracles because
their unbelief hindered His effort.
REFLECT: Jesus returned to His home town a famous man. He has disciples and
many from faraway places follow His movements. It must have been difficult
for His family to adjust to this new reality. His town mates have mixed feelings
about His success. Some are genuinely happy while others turn sour puss. They
cannot believe that a family of carpenters can produce something like Him.
Thus His family background of which all His townmates are very familiar with
becomes a stumbling block to their faith in Him. Familiarity gets in the way.
Jesus is measured not only by His personal achievements but by the kind of
family He has. No wonder not many believed in Him. They cannot accept that
somebody as ordinary as them could reach a level of success that they could
not even dream of. And so the homecoming of Jesus, instead of being a joyful
occasion is soured by the jealousy and envy of His town mates.
RESPOND: How do we respond to the good fortunes of others? It reveals what
we have so far in life. If we are prone to envy and jealousy, then we know that
we have many poverties of the heart. We can get to know them so that we can
rid ourselves of their influence little by little. So today, let us pray a prayer of
thanksgiving for the good fortunes of others. And let us not lose hope for the
things we are waiting for. In God’s own time, if they make us better persons,
they will come to us.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2021