Saint John Bosco, Priest 

2 Samuel 24:2,8-17
Mark 6:1-6

It seems that Jesus’ rejection in his village of Nazareth was often commented upon by early Christian writers. Three Gospel writers recount the episode in great detail. According to Mark, Jesus arrived at Nazareth accompanied by his disciples and with the reputation of being a prophetic healer. His neighbors don’t know what to think.

When it was Sabbath, Jesus entered the small village synagogue and «began to teach». His neighbors and relatives hardly listen to him. Within them, all kinds of questions are arising. They know Jesus from childhood: he’s one more neighbor. Where has he learned that surprising message about God’s reign? From whom has he received that power to heal? Mark says that Jesus «had them upset». Why?

Those villagers believe that they know all about Jesus. They have an idea of him from his childhood. Instead of welcoming him as he presents himself before them, they get stuck by the image they have of him. That image keeps them from opening themselves up to the mystery that Jesus contains. They resist discovering that in him the saving God has drawn near.

But there’s something more. To receive him as a prophet means being ready to listen to the message he’s directing to them in God’s name. And this can lead to problems. They have their synagogue, scribes, sacred books, and traditions as far as they can tell but Jesus’ prophetic presence breaks in and it seems the tranquility of their village has been disturbed.

We Christians have plenty of different images of Jesus. Not all of them coincide with the image of those who knew Jesus up close and followed him. Each one of us has our idea of him. This image conditions our way of living our faith. If our image of Jesus is not fully understood then our faith becomes poor, partial, or distorted. But If we have him as our only savior and provider then we will appreciate the whole suffering, death, and resurrection he made for the sake of humanity.

Have you ever been rejected or criticized at home for your faith in God? Do we see Christ revealed to us by the Holy Spirit in the Church? Do we desire God’s approval or people’s approval? How we answer these questions determines if we are truly a disciple of Jesus. Jesus is the Son of God. Do not shrink back and do not give up. Allow Him to make your home and your heart a holy dwelling place.

Fr Joseph Osho