FIRST READING
Jeremiah 26:1-9
In the beginning of the reign of Jehoiakim, son of Josiah, king of Judah, this message came from the LORD: Thus says the LORD: Stand in the court of the house of the LORD and speak to the people of all the cities of Judah who come to worship in the house of the LORD; whatever I command you, tell them, and omit nothing. Perhaps they will listen and turn back, each from his evil way, so that I may repent of the evil I have planned to inflict upon them for their evil deeds. Say to them: Thus says the LORD: If you disobey me, not living according to the law I placed before you and not listening to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I send you constantly though you do not obey them, I will treat this house like Shiloh, and make this the city to which all the nations of the earth shall refer when cursing another.
Now the priests, the prophets, and all the people heard Jeremiah speak these words in the house of the LORD. When Jeremiah finished speaking all that the LORD bade him speak to all the people, the priests and prophets laid hold of him, crying, “You must be put to death! Why do you prophesy in the name of the LORD: ‘This house shall be like Shiloh,’ and ‘This city shall be desolate and deserted’?” And all the people gathered about Jeremiah in the house of the LORD.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 69:5, 8-10, 14
R. (14c) Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Those outnumber the hairs of my head who hate me without cause. Too many for my strength are they who wrongfully are my enemies. Must I restore what I did not steal?
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
Since for your sake I bear insult, and shame covers my face. I have become an outcast to my brothers, a stranger to my mother’s sons, Because zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who blaspheme you fall upon me.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
But I pray to you, O LORD, for the time of your favor, O God! In your great kindness answer me with your constant help.
R. Lord, in your great love, answer me.
ALLELUIA
1 Peter 1:25
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The word of the Lord remains forever; this is the word that has been proclaimed to you.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Matthew 13:54-58
Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.
REFLECTIONS:
Are you critical towards others, especially those
who are close to you? The most severe critics are often people very familiar
to us, a member of our family, a relative, neighbor, student, or worker
we rub shoulders with on a regular basis. Jesus faced a severe testing
when he returned to his home town, not simply as the carpenter's son, but
now as a rabbi with disciples. It would have been customary for Jesus to
go to the synagogue each week during the Sabbath, and when his turn came,
to read from the scriptures during the Sabbath service. His hometown folks
listened with rapt attention on this occasion because they had heard about
the miracles he had performed in other towns. What sign would he do in
his hometown? Jesus startled them with a seeming rebuke that no prophet
or servant of God can receive honor among his own people. The people of
Nazareth took offense at him and refused to listen to what he had
to say. They despised his preaching because he was a carpenter from the
working class, and a mere layman untrained by religious scholars. They
also despised him because of his family background. After all, Joseph was
a tradesman as well and Mary had no special social distinctions.
How easily familiarity breeds contempt. Jesus could do no mighty works
in his hometown because the people who were familiar with him were closed-minded
and despised his claim to speak and act in the name of God. If people come
together to hate and refuse to understand others different than themselves,
then they will see no other point of view than their own and they will
refuse to love and accept others. How do you view those who are familiar
to you? With kindness and respect or with a critical and judgmental spirit?
The Lord Jesus offers us freedom from sin, prejudice, contempt, and
fear. His love and grace sets us free to love others with the same grace
and mercy which he has shown to us. Only Jesus can truly set us free from
the worst tyranny possible slavery to sin and the fear of death. His
victory on the cross brings us pardon and healing, and the grace to live
holy lives by the power of the Holy Spirit. Do you know the joy and freedom
which Christ's love brings to our hearts?
"Lord Jesus, your love conquers every fear and breaks the power of hatred
and prejudice. Flood my heart with your mercy and compassion, that I may
treat my neighbor with the same favor and kindness which you have shown
to me."
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