Have you ever faced the situation Jesus did in the gospel today?  He returns to his hometown, a place of comfort and familiarity. Can you imagine how happy he’d be to see the people he loved and grew up with? Isn’t home where you’d expect him to flourish, to do his best work?

But instead of a warm welcome, he is put under the harsh rigidity of his neighbors’ judgment.  “Who does he think he is?  Imagine! The town carpenter, coming back here with his fancy religious talk. Well, I know his relatives; he’s no better than the rest of us.”  The gospel says, “And they took offense at him.”

It’s common for famous people to come back after they make good and give money and gifts to help their family and their hometown. But when Jesus went back to his old neighborhood, he could not perform any mighty deeds there. Isn’t it shocking to hear that Jesus, the Son of God, the Savior of the world, was literally unable to give healing to people he might have known since childhood?  Pride and jealousy prevented people from receiving Jesus exactly as he is.  Not even Jesus can force a response out of someone—he wants us to receive him, and each other, with openness and welcome.  If we don’t, we refuse each others’ gifts.

Don’t let jealousy, resentment or dislike harden your heart.  Jesus was dishonored most “in his native place, among his own kin.” Be all that God asks you to be, and help others share their gifts by affirming and accepting them gratefully. God wants to bring others to life.  Do you realize we are being asked to bring others to life, too?

INDEPENDENCE DAY – In observation of Independence Day, Masses will be celebrated at 8:30 a.m. at St. John Capistran and 10:00 a.m. at St. Thomas More.  Additionally, parish offices will be closed for the day.