Today's Gospel

Matthew 13: 54-58

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? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” 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.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.
Matthew 13: 54-58

One of the most unfulfilling tasks for anyone is to try to counsel the members of one’s family. There is too much history to deal with, and it causes resentment. Jesus understood this, and showed by his famous statement that he was not immune to being rejected by those who knew him fairly intimately. Leaving aside the question of who Jesus’ brothers and sisters were, we are left with the astonishment that the people of his home town exhibited at this local boy being such a wise and powerful prophet. How often do we encounter someone whom we know, who speaks in witness to something of God for us? It may not be often, but how often are we too quick to shut out their voice since we are astonished that they would know anything more than we do?