A reading from the gospel according to Matthew 13:54-58

54 Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue.
They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds?
55 Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas?
56 Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?”
57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.”
58 And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

Reflection: Finding God in the ordinary

Good News: God is doing mighty deeds in our life.

In the gospel, Jesus’ own kinsmen did not recognize Him as the Messiah or a prophet. Though they were astonished by His wisdom and mighty deeds, they considered Him as an ordinary person because they knew Him from birth. To them, Jesus was just a carpenter’s son and nothing more.

People have biases and prejudices. They tend to look down on other people they consider inferior or ordinary. Like the town folks of Jesus, these kind of people would condescendingly ask, “Who is he?” or “Who are you?” To them, ordinary people do not have special gifts or they remain ordinary all their lives. It does not occur to them that some people grow in wisdom and knowledge and that they too can develop skills to do great things in life.

There is an old saying that says familiarity breeds contempt. The more people know you, the more stories they have to tell others. It is therefore a worldly wisdom to choose whom to tell your secrets or better not to divulge them at all. But it should not be the case especially in our relationship with God. The more we know Him, the deeper our relationship with Him becomes. The more we know Him, the deeper our wisdom and the stronger our faith should be.

It takes wisdom and faith to see that God is indeed doing mighty deeds in our lives. It takes humility to recognize the presence of God in others especially those we consider ordinary.

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The gospel reading above recounts a significant moment in Jesus’ ministry when He returns to His hometown and teaches in the synagogue. Despite His profound wisdom and miraculous works, the people are skeptical, questioning how the son of a carpenter could possess such authority. They reject Him, leading Jesus to remark, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.” This passage offers a powerful lesson on faith, humility, and the dangers of familiarity breeding contempt.

In our lives, it’s easy to overlook the extraordinary in the familiar. We may take for granted the talents and wisdom of those closest to us, failing to recognize their potential because we know them too well. This can lead to missed opportunities for growth and inspiration. Jesus’ experience in His hometown reminds us that greatness can come from the most unexpected places and people.

We are called to see beyond our preconceived notions and to approach every person and situation with an open heart and mind. This openness allows us to witness the miraculous in everyday life and to appreciate the unique gifts each person brings to the world. It challenges us to honor and support those around us, even when their greatness challenges our expectations.

Moreover, this passage encourages us to persevere in our faith and purpose, even when faced with doubt and rejection. Just as Jesus continued His mission despite being dismissed by those who knew Him best, we too must stay true to our calling, trusting in God’s plan for our lives. Our worth is not determined by the opinions of others but by our commitment to live out our God-given potential.

In embracing this perspective, we find inspiration to rise above negativity and to foster a culture of respect and encouragement. Let us be champions of each other’s talents, celebrate the successes of those around us, and always look for the extraordinary in the ordinary. In doing so, we honor the divine in everyone and invite God’s blessings into our lives.

Cross Reference Mark 6:1-6