Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time
Gospel: Mt 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.
JESUS THE CHOSEN WAY TO THE FATHER: God did not leave Moses to decide on how and when the children of Israel should worship Him. Instead, he gave specific days and instructions of how they should worship him in every occasion. In the Gospel we see Jesus being treated casually by his neighbors. Their familiarity and probably not having known him as a learned scribe but a mere son of carpenter and his ordinary demeanor did not allow him to assume the position he assumed in the synagogue as a teacher. However, he is God’s chosen way of worship and no one can go to the father except through Him. Some people feel that they can invent their own ways to worship God but it is only through Jesus that we can worship the Father.
PRAYER: We pray for the grace to always be attentive to God’s visit and the moments of grace.
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OPEN MINDSET: While Jesus is accepted among others, his own fail to perceive his greatness. Familiarity blocks them from perceiving the Messiah. When we are so used to rituals and practices in the Church, we may fail to admire the blessings that come with them. Do we make our prayers and participation in the sacraments so banal that we miss their value?
DAILY GOSPEL 