Reflection for May 1 Thursday of the Second Week of Easter: Matthew 13:54-58

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.

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Reflection:

Let us imagine ourselves experiencing rejection. How would we feel about that rejection directed at us? We would surely feel bad. 

Jesus was rejected and belittled when He returned to Nazareth, His native place. He did not do anything offensive; He even taught in their synagogue. Yet He was rejected. The sole reason for His rejection was that they knew Him only as the son of a carpenter. His townspeople were too familiar with Him and His family. 

They couldn’t accept the fact that He had extraordinary wisdom and power. For these reasons, they rejected Him. But why reject someone when they could have welcomed Him with open arms? They rejected Jesus because they were envious of Him—envious of His gift of healing, His intelligence, and the adulation He received from the people. So, they rejected someone who could have helped them. 

We will not gain anything good if we harbor envy in our hearts. In fact, we are closing ourselves off to the many blessings that Jesus wants to shower upon us. Instead of being envious, why not simply be happy for the success of others? —Marino J. Dasmarinas