GOSPEL
Jerusalem Bible © 1966 by Darton, Longman & Todd Ltd and Doubleday & Company Inc.
Jesus went to his home town and his disciples accompanied him. With the coming of the sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue and most of them were astonished when they heard him. They said, ‘Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him? This is the carpenter, surely, the son of Mary, the brother of James and Joset and Jude and Simon? His sisters, too, are they not here with us?’ And they would not accept him. And Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is only despised in his own country, among his own relations and in his own house’; and he could work no miracle there, though he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.
(Mark 6:1–6)
DID YOU KNOW?
Points of interest and Catholic lore
- There is great debate about the relationship of ‘the brothers of the Lord’ to Jesus. Some scholars suggest that they were in fact literal brothers (or half-brothers or step-brothers), while other scholars point out that it was common practice to refer to cousins and even more distant relations as ‘brothers’. The Catholic Church holds that Jesus was the only child of Mary, the virgin mother of Christ.
- The reference to Jesus as ‘son of Mary’ was a slur on his legitimacy because, in Jesus’ time, people were usually identified as the child of their father.
- The man referred to here as ‘James, the brother of the Lord’ later became the leader of the Church in Jerusalem.
EXPLORING THE WORD
The questions asked by the townspeople of Nazareth are interesting ones. They rightly seek to understand the origins of Jesus’ wisdom and power. ‘Where did the man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been granted him, and these miracles that are worked through him?’ They recognise that Jesus is not the source of his own authority. There is a greater power behind him. Their failure lies in the fact that they do not recognise the source of Jesus’ power and authority. They do not see the presence of God in the words and deeds of their compatriot. Indeed, Jesus is designated as ‘son of Mary’, a slur on them both at a time when one’s genealogy was traced through the line of the father. Jesus is astonished by the inability of the townspeople to look beyond what they are familiar with to the obvious signs of the kingdom of God in his actions and words. The kingdom of God requires the cooperation of people if it is to become a reality. He can do nothing there!
- Are there times when you close your eyes to the presence of God in the ordinary things of life?
- How does recognising your own blindness make you more open to the presence of God around you?
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Opportunities for group discussion and personal prayer
- What are the things that prevent your faith from taking root or growing?
- Recall times when you have felt rejected or scorned. What were your feelings at those times? What was it that caused your rejection? How did you deal with this?
- Have there been occasions when you have acted as the ‘prophet’? How were you received?
- This week, try to become aware of those things which hinder your growth in faith. Work actively in overcoming them.
- Ponder the mystery contained in these phrases from the gospel this week:
Where did the man get all this?
What is this wisdom that has been granted him?
SHARING THE TRADITION
A closer look at the Scripture of the day, to see how it makes more explicit God’s word to us through the teachings of Jesus Christ
Prophets and prophecy have always been part of the heritage of the people of Israel. The prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures were charged with the difficult task of speaking God’s words to a people who did not always want to hear such a difficult message, often about their own failings. Prophets were not people who foretold the future but those who had a clear understanding of what God wanted and called the people back to fidelity to God’s plan and covenant when they had strayed. Even today, there are people who speak out against the status quo, who refuse to accept that the way things are is the way things should be. Sometimes, the way things are is not the way God intended!
- You could give a brief introduction to the prophetic books of the Hebrew Scriptures and talk of the difficult message that the great prophets brought at various times in Israel’s history.
- Who are some of the ‘prophets’ of today who challenge the accepted order and call for justice? You could speak of people like St Oscar Romero, Martin Luther King or Pope Francis.
- Identify ways in which the Church acts as prophet in challenging injustice.
SYMBOLS AND IMAGES
The rejection here of Jesus by the people of his home-town foreshadows his later rejection by the people as a whole. Their lack of faith and their hostility towards him means that he can work no miracles there. This indicates the importance of faith and hope. Jesus is not simply a magician who ‘performs’ at will. The human response of faith is necessary.
LIVING THE WORD
Practical ideas for group leaders to employ in connecting Scripture and daily life, with suggestions for music and environment
- In what ways does your community act as a prophetic voice? As a faith community, do you take part in social movements calling for justice? Are there ways catechumens can become involved in these actions?
- Use a candle and open Scriptures as a focus for prayer. Pray for all the prophets of today who speak with courage and conviction. Pray for that same courage and conviction for each other. A suitable hymn could be ‘Who will speak?’ (GA 509). Conclude with the prayer of exorcism in the RCIA at §94F, which asks for strength and faith.