Gospel: Matthew 13:54-58
He went to his hometown and taught the people in their synagogue. They were amazed and said, “Where did he get this wisdom and these special powers? Isn’t he the carpenter’s son? Isn’t Mary his mother and aren’t James, Joseph, Simon and Judas his brothers? Aren’t all his sisters living here? Where did he get all these things?” And so they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them, “The only place where prophets are not welcome is his hometown and in his own family.” And he did not perform many miracles there because of their lack of faith.
Reflections
“Isn’t he the carpenter’s son?“
If it were not easy for people at the hometown of Jesus, having seen his miraculous power at work and having heard his teachings, to believe that he is the Messiah and the Son of God, it would be much more difficult for contemporary young people or adults who have not developed faith in God and questions the existence of institutional religions to believe in a Jesus who lived more than two thousand years ago.
In a casual conversation with a young man, who professes to be a non-believer, said he could not believe that this Jesus is the son of God and that he existed or lived on this Earth based on the bible and other books. In reply, I suggested he goes to a quiet place to be alone with himself and sincerely ask God for the gift of faith and to reveal his son to him. I added that he would know Jesus exists and who Jesus is when he experiences genuine love.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019
