Readings
I - Heb. 12: 4-7. 11-15
II - Mk. 6: 1-6
BE OPEN TO THE TRUTH
Today’s Gospel passage is about the rejection of Jesus in his hometown. Prejudice prevented the people of Nazareth from accepting the wisdom of Jesus and his deeds of divine power. A deliberate rejection just because Jesus was a carpenter’s son and Mary, his mother was a simple and insignificant woman of Nazareth who did not have a great or a renowned background. Therefore the people willfully refused to reckon to the truth. Their prejudice and pride prevented them from being open to the truth and finally they were the losers because of their disbelief Jesus could not do any mighty work there.
Prejudice pollutes, pride prevents, anger avenges, jealousy jeopardises from accepting and rejoicing at the talents, goodness and the gifts of the other. We may tend to evaluate the background and eliminate, analyse the status and avoid, mount with criticism and marginalise and in the end hunt for reasons to reject and discard people. In this bargain we become the losers like those people of Nazareth who willfully missed Jesus, the Messiah for whom they so long waited. We have to go beyond our likes and dislikes to behold the persons as they are and to savour the blessings that each one bring with them. Have courage to surpass all stereo typed settings in our mind and with a magnanimity of mind and heart accept the persons as they are and all for the glory of God. Keep repeating this prayer as often as possible in the silence of heart praying: “Lord Jesus, give me the courage to accept the truth.”
