Hometown Bound

In the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus read from the book of the prophet Isaiah, and began to say, "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, "Is not this Joseph's son?" He said to them, "Doubtless you will quote to me this proverb, 'Doctor, cure yourself!' And you will say, 'Do here also in your hometown the things that we have heard you did at Capernaum.'" And he said, "Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet's hometown. But the truth is, there were many widows in Israel in the time of Elijah, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, and there was a severe famine over all the land; yet Elijah was sent to none of them except to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. There were also many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." When they heard this, all in the synagogue were filled with rage. They got up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they might hurl him off the cliff. But he passed through the midst of them and went on his way. Luke 4:21-30

Hometown Bound

The garden state parkway ahead
airports and hotels behind us
the familiar smells and comforts
await despite the years passing
I am going home.

We have grown older and somewhat wiser
the agony of siblings and conflict
set aside to celebrate a milestone
grateful not to be returning in sadness.

Oh yes they do not understand me
I infuriate them at times
as they do me some
but we are bound in love.

Love drapes us all in kindness
when we want to take the upper hand
love shrouds us in patience
when we want to run and hide.

Hometown bound is hard on all
the marks of childhood throb
again the memories rise as ghosts
and we are lost in failures.

Love beckons us to go anyway
love holds our hands as we tremble
this time we want the best
and know it will be hard for everyone.

No prophet is accepted
in the prophet's hometown
but love hides us in the crowd
and saves us from the brink.