“Hometown Rejection” by Colleen O’Sullivan

“Hometown Rejection” by Colleen O’Sullivan

Memorial of Saint Paul Miki and Companions, Martyrs

But the kindness of the Lord is from eternity
to eternity toward those who fear him,
And his justice toward children's children
among those who keep his covenant. (Psalm 10:17-18a)

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. (Mark 6:2-3)

Piety

Lord, help us always to be open to the power of your love for us.

Study

When we make pejorative comments about others, often we are also saying something about ourselves. Not long into my first year as a pastor, a letter of complaint was sent to my district superintendent, the person responsible for advising the bishop on appointments. The letter stated that the churches had requested a pastor who would be part of the community. Since they had only a Lions Club and a Fire Department, they said I obviously didn’t fit the bill. I received a copy of this missive and just shook my head. What were they saying about themselves and the many women who lived there? Fifty percent of the population doesn’t count?

In today’s Gospel, Mark tells us what happens when Jesus goes back to his hometown, Nazareth, to speak in the synagogue. At first, the congregation is astounded at his wisdom. And they’re impressed by reports of the many miraculous deeds that have been attributed to their native son. You would think they’d be proud of him or might at least be curious about why Jesus speaks with such authority. But maybe they are jealous of his authoritative way of speaking. For whatever reason, their adulation quickly turns to derision. Who does he think he is saying all these things? He’s just a carpenter. We know his mother and his brothers and sisters. Maybe they remember gossip about Mary when she was expecting Jesus. Whatever in his hometown Jesus is no one special. Recalling what Nathanael said in John’s Gospel when someone told him about Jesus, “What good can come from Nazareth?” (1:46), it appears that no one living in this village was held in high regard. Nazareth was a nowhere place in the eyes of people living in that part of the world. Ridiculing Jesus because he came from a very ordinary village and held down a very ordinary job there seems like the pot calling the kettle black.  Anyway, there weren’t a lot of high-tech office jobs in villages in those days.

Mark writes that Jesus could perform no mighty deed there, so he leaves.  It wasn’t because he couldn’t as much as it was because Jesus never forces himself on anyone. In today’s psalm, we are reminded that God’s kindness is from eternity to eternity toward those who revere him and his justice toward those who keep his covenant. Jesus will be at our side in a heartbeat if we call out to him and believe that he can and will answer. The trouble in the synagogue in Nazareth was a lack of faith. No one was about to call out to Jesus, because they had no faith in him that he was who he said he was or that he had the power to do anything mighty or wonderful in them. It was the villagers’ attitudes, not Jesus’ ability to perform mighty deeds, that kept anything wonderful from happening that day (apart from the several faith-filled folks whose illnesses were cured).

Action

Most of us can admit to being guilty every now and then of making erroneous judgments about others. Can you think of a time when you almost missed out on knowing a wonderful human being for this reason?  This might be something you would like to pray about.

The end of today’s Gospel passage is thought-provoking. We live in a society where fewer and fewer people lay claim to any religious faith. It makes me sad to think what these “Nones” might be missing out on - God’s love, compassion, forgiveness, grace, and mercy, not because God doesn’t love them, but because they’re not open to that love. However, you sow the seeds of faith, don’t stop. The world needs faith now more than ever.