Gospel Reading: Jn 14:27-31a
Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.
THEY TOOK
OFFENSE AT HIM
His town mates cannot accept that Jesus has acquired extraordinary wisdom. He has just taught them the Kingdom of God (cf Mt 13) in parables, a literary device to explain a point. The listeners are wondering. Looking at his lowly background as son of a carpenter and an ordinary housewife, they cannot explain how Jesus can be on a par with the trained preachers and can even be better. Such a topic as the Kingdom of God is reserved to the experts educated in Jerusalem or some center of Jewish learning.
Their questionings reveal their incredulity and non-acceptance of Jesus. Thus, they are unable to respond to Jesus’ invitation to repent, “for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 4:17). Instead, they discredit him as if he has been talking like a charlatan.
We Christians believe that Jesus knows what he is talking about: what God’s Kingdom is like, its blueprint and the pathways to realize it. We do not take offense at him and his teachings. In many ways, we have been changed by his message.
We must admit, however, that we at times take offense at him. We show this when we refuse to forgive, to render justice, and to recognize the presence of others. We get them out of our sight, because they are smarter than us.
“Don’t we too often get ourselves into a place where our sophisticated ‘knowledge’ of so much can block our ability to be open to mystery…? And, when we aren’t open, Jesus’ hands are tied, his power is limited” (Andy Alexander SJ).
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2016,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
