Hometown

When Jesus had finished these parables, he left that place. He came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house." And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief. Matthew 13:53-58 

We have been visiting Baltimore this week as part of our 40th anniversary trip. We have had the great joy of connecting with dear friends who we haven't seen in years. I came to Baltimore in 1973 for college, meeting Mark in 1974 and marrying in 1975. Two of our daughters were born here. This is my home diocese and will have the opportunity today to visit more friends. We have walked places we used to haunt and marveled at the changes as well as the sameness.

Jesus goes home and finds himself unable to do many miracles. These folks have known him forever and haven't been able to embrace his changes. They are not able to accept what he has become because they had not seen his capacity throughout. He was, to them, a carpenter's son, a man who worked with his hands and didn't change their ideas and concepts. It is often hard for us to accept the changes in the most familiar. In fact, we often rally against the changes. We want life to be the same. We are invited by God to embrace change, to see the miraculous possibility when we embrace change and make room for new life and new spirit. 

Today. I ask God to open my heart and mind to new possibilities. May we let go of rigid living and hardened judgement. May we lean in and expect miracles in the old familiar places.