Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint Mark 6, 1-6
Jesus departed from there and came to his native place,
accompanied by his disciples.
When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue,
and many who heard him were astonished.
They said, “Where did this man get all this?
What kind of wisdom has been given him?
What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!
Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary,
and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon?
And are not his sisters here with us?”
And they took offense at him.
Jesus said to them,
“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place
and among his own kin and in his own house.”
So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,
apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them.
He was amazed at their lack of faith.
Astonished
1. Incomprehension. When we make significant changes in our lives or embark on a spiritual journey, others might view us as a bit weird or give us unwanted attention. It’s similar to people focusing on the messenger rather than the message itself. For this reason, as Christians, we should strive to look beyond appearances. This challenge even arises within the Church: “Really, that priest is celebrating Mass?” or “She’s leading the group? Maybe I’ll skip it.” We must avoid partiality. As St. Benedict teaches, “The Holy Spirit breathes where He wills and through whom He wills.” Don’t be taken aback by those around; instead, seek to learn from them so your faith may grow. In doing this, you’ll witness the miracles in your own life—I’m convinced there are miracles in your life.
2. Among your own. It’s true, my friend—family life is complicated, filled with both wonderful moments and deep challenges. It’s often those closest to us who raise the hardest questions or cause the most pain. I think of those who feel out of place in their own families, or those who are saving to move out quickly because their home feels chaotic and unbearable. Please remember, every family faces its own struggles and must deal with its own issues; there is no such thing as a perfect family. Accept your circumstances so you can understand clearly where you stand.
3. Jesus’s teaching. Nowadays, there’s a crisis in the calling to be a catechist—not due to a lack of faith, but because many hesitate to invest time and effort in formation and training. I’ve seen catechists who serve with good intentions, but when you suggest a Bible course to deepen their understanding, they change the topic. I truly respect our Evangelical brothers and sisters who study the Bible thoroughly. You might not realize how much richness our theology holds. While it may seem overwhelming or dull at first, studying God’s teachings to share with others—to help them know Jesus—will transform your life as well. Teaching your loved ones about the depth of God’s love is a wonderful experience. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing people move forward with vibrant, strengthened faith. Get to know Jesus more deeply so you can celebrate Him in your life; this will help you live in His presence and share an ongoing, personal dialogue with Him.
Remember that something good is on the way!
God bless you and keep you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
