Hurt
in Nazareth
July
8-9, 2006
Fr.
George Smiga
Mark
6:1-6
Today's
Gospel is strangely disturbing, but it also carries a thread
of consolation. This passage from Mark's gospel is the only
passage in the gospels where Jesus is said to be unable to
act. The text is very clear about this. It says that Jesus
was unable to perform any deed of power, so distressed was
he by lack of faith. We believe that Jesus has the power of
God, so how is it possible that he is rendered helpless?
Although
we could spend hours discussing why Jesus was unable to act,
it is more useful to ask what does this strange impotence
of Jesus have to do with us? For we believe that all the passages
of the scriptures not only tell us about Jesus, but also apply
to our lives. So what does Jesus' inability to act mean to
us?
The
answer to that question can be found when we realize where
it is that this scene takes place. It was in Jesus' own hometown.
He had no problem doing deeds of power in Capernaum or at
the Sea of Galilee , but when he came to Nazareth he was helpless.
He could wow the crowds in Jerusalem , but when he came to
his own town, he was too local to be taken seriously. This
rejection of Jesus in Nazareth points to a truth in our lives:
sometimes it is the people who are closest to us who do not
understand us and will not support us.
This
painful truth is a part of the human condition. It is proverbial.
In fact, Jesus cites a proverb in the gospel. He says, “Prophets
are not without honor, except in their own hometown, among
their own kin, and in their own house.” How painful it is
to have our gifts and talents accepted by many, but not accepted
by those who are closest to us. How hurtful it is to wait
for the approval of a mother, father, or grandparent; to wait
for the acceptance of a brother or sister, and yet, never
have that acceptance or that approval come. How debilitating
it is when we find that those we are related to by blood or
by marriage do not accept us. Instead they are jealous of
us, dismissive of us, or, at the worst, they manipulate us.
We usually can overcome rejection by a stranger or by those
with whom we only have a business relationship. But when it
comes to rejection by family that rejection cuts deep.
This
is the disturbing truth of today's gospel. But in this scene
there is also a thread of consolation. If Jesus himself was
unable to avoid rejection by those who were closest to him,
then why should we be surprised if such rejection happens
in our life? If Jesus who was Son of God nevertheless found
himself helpless when his family refused to accept him, then
certainly he will know our pain if we are denied acceptance.
It
hurts deeply when those closest to us refuse to love us. Jesus
endured that hurt. He also showed us how to respond to it.
The last line of the gospel says, “Jesus made his rounds of
the neighboring villages and continued to teach.” When he
was rejected in Nazareth , Jesus did not let that rejection
undermine his identity or value. He did not reject his calling.
He did not wrap himself in self-pity. He moved on. He moved
on to the neighboring villages and there continued to teach
to those who would listen and to those who would respond.
In
the same way if we were to experience rejection by those who
are closest to us, we too are called to move on. We cannot
make anyone love us, but we can refuse to allow rejection
to dictate our future. We still have gifts to give. We still
have people to love. We must believe that our gifts and love
are real. So if the people who are closest to you all support
you, be thankful. That is a tremendous gift. But if you find
there is someone close who will not extend love to you, follow
the example of Jesus. Move on. Give your gifts to those who
will receive them. Share you love with those who will respond
to it. Believe that there still is life and love to be found,
even if it is not in your own hometown.
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