Reflection for August 2 Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time: 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:

What if Jesus was a doctor during His time; would they treat Him differently? Would they treat Him with high esteem instead of belittling Him? Of course His townmates would have treated Him with high respect for He was a doctor. But the reality is He was a carpenter and a carpenter’s son. So, they belittled Him and as a result Jesus did not do many miracles in their place. 

Sad to say but this is also happening to us, we have different measures and treatment for different people. Many of us treat the rich and educated with high esteem and we regard differently those who are poor and less educated. 

Education and status in life are a deceiving standard to gauge the morality, sincerity and kindness of a person. In the heart of an ordinary person we often times find moral fitness, sincerity and kindness. This we often fail to recognize for the reason that we already judge them based on their life's status. 

The town mates of Jesus failed to discover this in Jesus because they judge Him based on His life's status. If only they did not disparage Jesus they could have discovered the gentleness of Jesus but they belittled Him for He was just an ordinary carpenter’s son for them. 

Perhaps one of the many lessons the gospel imparts to us is not to belittle anyone regardless who they may be. Who knows the people that we belittle are the ones with pure hearts and the ones who will be there for us in our time of need. 

Are you quick to judge for the reason of one’s physical appearance, education and status in life? – Marino J. Dasmarinas