GOSPEL, Mark (6: 1-6)

Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark

The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth

 6 He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. ² On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! ³ Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. ⁴ Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” ⁵ And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. ⁶ And he was amazed at their unbelief.

The Mission of the Twelve

Then he went about among the villages teaching.

 

The Gospel of the Lord

 

REFLECTION

Jesus goes to the synagogue in the town of Nazareth where he was raised. In front of  his countrymen he shows His wisdom and authority. At first, in astonishment they exclaim! “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him?” It then passes from astonishment, to remarks  which are demeaning and critical, “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James…” finally both these feelings give way to a distrust of Him.

Jesus’ countrymen were not able to overcome their prejudices. Hence, Jesus says, “Prophets are not without honour, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.”

Christ is the great prophet. Linked to the Spirit of God, his personal word made man. Jesus guarantees the authenticity of the word and the mission through “signs”, the miracles.

Christ and his messengers are not easily accepted. Jesus is refused, when his doctrine expounded in the Gospel and by the Church is not accepted. Too often these profound and life changing concepts are relegated to the dusty corners of historical fiction.

The Church needs believing men and women who, by imitating Jesus, give witness to God among other people. The Lord likes to reveal Himself in the monotony of each day through the most diverse events, and above all, through people.  These“ signs” may be manifested  through everyday actions – sharing a smile or, showing love, hope, and a commitment to the poor in everything.

The last of the Prophets was the Son of God Himself, Jesus. More than a Prophet, because He not only announced the Word of God, but He Himself is the Word of the Father, and He came to this world precisely to be the Word of God among men.

Despite this, his own countrymen despised him. He was just a neighbour to them, they all knew His life story, easily belittling what is only evident on the outside. Others, far away, will believe in Him and through Him, reach the Father.

 

PRAYER

Holy Father, remove the veil from our eyes and give us the light of the Spirit, that we may know how to recognize your glory in the humiliation of your Son, and in our human infirmity we may experience the power of Your resurrection. Amen.