Matthew 13: 54-58
Jesus came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him.
But Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house.” And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Stuck in Our Preconceptions
Matthew’s Gospel story of people taking offense at Jesus while preaching in his hometown seems strange and at the same time revealing of human nature. We knew him when he was just a little boy! We know things about his relatives! And all the while, his townfolk failed to see the Son of God in their midst.
On today’s feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, we can imagine the saint’s hometown crowd scoffing at his eventual sanctity. The young Ignatius was a romanticist with dreams of military glory before the cannonball struck and he began a slow, arduous journey of conversion which ultimately changed the world.
“Every saint has a past and every sinner has a future,” goes the well-worn adage. Even Jesus, who was never a sinner, had a family history and a humble hometown. How often do we judge someone on our own prejudices and preconceptions?
—Effie Caldarola has a master’s degree in pastoral studies from Seattle University. She was a longtime columnist for Catholic News Service and now writes for OSV.
Prayer
Jesus, guide my thoughts away from judgement based on class, race, family background, place of origin, education, appearance. Instead, like Ignatius, help me to give people the benefit of the doubt and see within each person the beloved and beautiful child of God which they are.
—Effie Caldarola