July 5, 2009 Mark 6:1-6| Guide Subscriptions |
July 5, 2009 Mark 6:1-6
Connie May © 6/10/09
Drawing with permission by Fr. Robert Beck
Additional Beck
ENTERING THE SCENE:
Who among us hasn’t had the experience of going back to where we grew up and had people say “isn’t this just ____child? My kids grew up with him or her. And did we not feel discounted or put down when this happened? If so, we can certainly know what frustration that same treatment was for Jesus. Even though they had experienced his wise teaching and miraculous deeds, their preconceptions overrode their experience and nullified Jesus’ ability to share his love with them. In fact we are told Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. But this didn’t stop Jesus, it only freed him to share without a pause with those who were ready to listen and trust their own experience. We are invited to do the same.
Mark 6:1-6
1 Jesus left there and went to his hometown accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. "Where did this man get these things?" they asked. "What's this wisdom that has been given him, that he even does miracles! 3 Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, "Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honor." 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.
DISCUSSION QUESTION: We are told that Jesus was amazed at the lack of faith of the people in his home town. What old “tapes” keep me from trusting my own experience of God’s love?
PRAYER: Neighbor Jesus, you are all grown up now and my how you have developed! My old memories of those days past keep getting in my way of growing along with you some times. I marvel at your words and deeds, and then, that nagging doubt whispers in my ear. Help me to trust my own grown up experience of your love so I can be open and ready to receive all that you have to give me. Amen.
Additional treasures to explore:
Stone, Naomi. Listening to the Voice Within
Rolheiser, Fr. Ron. Our Inner Garment