Openness to Jesus as He Reveals Himself in the Now of My Life

In today’s Gospel, Mt. 13, 54-58, Jesus is visiting his hometown.  How sad it was for Him that they had no faith in Him. “Who is this man?” they asked. “We know him as the son of Joseph and Mary, ordinary people. His father was a carpenter. We know his brothers and sisters! Where does he get his wisdom? And those might deeds?”    We can experience disillusionment from the good or the bad another does.  We can dismiss a person by our knowledge of his/her past.  “Good from that person? Wisdom coming out his//her mouth?”  “She/he’s presenting at the parish tonight?  No way!  I’m not attending that!” 

Jesus, sadly, leaves that place, not working “mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.”  How many events and/or encounters by which God gives me the opportunity to experience His Wisdom and His mighty deeds in my life do I miss because of my lack of faith, my preconceived ideas, my prejudices, my “know-it-all” attitudes, my clinging to past experiences?

Discipline from a loving God

In today’s first reading, Heb. 12: 4-7, 11-15, St. Paul reminds us that God treats us as sons/daughters and therefore, like any wise parent, disciplines us by what we suffer.  He also reminds us that none of us “struggle with sin…to the point of shedding blood.”  The Gospel, Mark 6: 1-6, tells us how disappointed Jesus is in the people of his own home town. Because of their attitude towards Him and their lack of faith, Jesus cannot and does not work  miracles there. I asked the Lord what I needed to learn from these lessons and the following counsel was given me: 

 
Dorothy Ann, remember that I love you. It’s because of my love for you that you are painfully made aware of your sinfulness and how  stubbornness and pride sometimes trip you up from growth in humility, kindness and love.  It is why miracles are not worked through you in some instances: miracles to which a humble person is privy, miracles that occur when a person does not need to be right, miracles that occur when a person apologizes to another even when the raucous seems to be the other person’s fault, miracles that occur when a person remains calm and patient toward, or walks away from, a ranting “manic,” miracles that occur when a person speaks the truth reverently   
and respectfully to another, miracles that occur when a person takes time to listen without              condemning, without being critical, without needing to set the other right, without needing
to come out on top, etc.

 

Living these Gospel values, Dorothy Ann, is countercultural. It is what led to My death and will lead to yours, not physically but the death of the ego that, at times, wants to dominate, control and hold on to being right when the other is wrong.  Many times you have to walk away and swallow your pride, as I did in today’s Gospel, Mark 6: 1-6).

Taking up one’s cross and following Jesus to death and resurrection is costly!