Gospel Reading: MARK 6:1-6
Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. 2When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! 3Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” 5So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. 6He was amazed at their lack of faith.
HE WAS AMAZED AT THEIR LACK OF FAITH.
Prejudice is a hindrance to truth and goodness. When we look at a person and consider only physical appearance, color, nationality, or religion, we are bound to misjudge the person. There is no substitute to knowing the person through heart-to-heart conversation or living together. When one closes one’s heart to another person, no relationship, friendship, or growth can develop.
Jesus, the Gospel remarks, can do no mighty work in his own native place because of the townspeople’s unbelief. Even Jesus is amazed at their lack of faith and hardness of heart. We may think that his townsfolk know him better, but they are only looking at (or are scandalized by) his ordinary or known credentials. They cannot believe that one of their own can be that gifted and powerful, let alone be the Messiah.
Do we fall into the trap of judging others by what we know of them? Have we even asked how much we know of them to make a fair assessment?
* * *
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2017,” 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.