He Was Amazed At Their Lack of Faith!

He Was Amazed . . .

What kind of wisdom has he been given? Isn’t he the carpenter? Don’t we know his family? How is it that he speaks this way?

Jesus looks out and sees people, who are amazing! Amazingly closed in the heart. We are amazingly rigid. Amazingly stubborn. Amazingly fixed in how they think! It’s one of the few times we hear of the amazement of Jesus. Note: He does not say how amazingly wonderful we all are. Rather, he speaks of other amazements (stubborn, rigid, closed heart).

Amazement is a reality that shines forth in a clear way. Mary was amazed in finding Jesus in the Temple. Jesus was wise before that scene. But His Wisdom shined forth in a way that amazed Mary at that moment.

. . . At Their Lack of Faith!

The reaction of the people was not amazement, but astonishment. One is astonished in realizing that something is not supposed to be here. Wisdom like this does not belong in a carpenter. Who is He that He speaks to us in this manner? They demonstrated a closed mind, and a closed heart.

One of the great dangers of mankind is the desire to limit the speaking of God to what we want to hear. We like the parts of the Gospel that agree with our politics, our culture, our way of life.

We generally do not like the parts of the Gospel that say there is another way; a better way. We tend to think … who are you to tell me that it is not good enough.  Yet, why does Jesus come into the world? In part, because the world is not just good enough. The human heart is not good enough by itself.

The Gospel reading states there was very little faith; that He was only able to cure a few sick people. Why? Jesus has so much to give. He wants to give us His blessings and His grace. He has so much to give. The lack of faith that met Him, limited the ability to give what He wanted to give.

Where is Our Open Heart, Mind and Spirit?

When life goes south, or when life gets difficult, humans are quick to say to God; “Where were you”! Jesus could say, He is right here with the healing, the gifts and grace we need. The issue is where is our open heart, mind and spirit?

The issue is how do we open ourselves to Christ? Hear how this Gospel reading … is not only to the members in the synagogues. This Gospel reading speaks to us. Hear what Jesus desires for us!

Freedom to Live Our Faith in a Way That is Recognizable to the World

The audio, recorded on the birthday anniversary of the United States, also relates this Gospel to Catholics living in our nation today. What we do in living the Catholic faith manners in life. Its not enough to just thank God for the birth of our nation. The grace Catholics need is the grace to live our faith in a way that is recognizable.

Hear the implication of this Gospel and the freedoms we celebrate on this day.