Matthew 13:54-58. Capji reflections

August 3

Jeremiah 26:1-9.

Psalms 69(68):5.8-10.14.

Matthew 13:54-58.

He 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.

Meditation: We have heard saying that, to understand a person we must look into his close friends or his relatives. This gospel passage is similar to this saying. Jesus' hometown folk rejected Him because they judged Him based on his relatives. People make the same mistake to the present day. Gandhi, for example, was very impressed by Jesus, but never became a Christian because he was unimpressed with Jesus' relatives, that is, us, Jesus' brothers and sisters. Many people say they quit the Church because of the hypocrites in it. They too reject Jesus because of His so-called followers. How many people turn their backs on Jesus because they were offended by a pastor or some other person in their church? Let us remember Jesus on the basis of His crucifixion and resurrection for love of us. Let us judge ourselves for not fully responding to His crucified and risen love, for Jesus will judge us on Judgment Day.

                Secondly when we are passing a judgment on someone we have to keep away our jealousy, anger and prejudice then try to know him by step into his shoes.