Without Honor

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

Sometimes our hometowns think of us with pride, but most of the time, people cannot forget what uncoordinated fools we were as children and teenagers. People who know us well won't often let us forget our mistakes. And honestly, we are guilty of the same. We like to remind old friends of the clumsy moments, and silly things we used to do. Yet many have grown and become something more than the limited expectations of the times. Are we able to truly welcome the whole person many have become?

Jesus has done some spectacular healing and wondrous teaching. Then he goes home and faces the ordinariness, the remembered childhood, the place that cannot see him as the gift he has become. We might now see the completeness, but they could not, just as we often cannot see the completeness of our family members and old friends. We are invited by God to be surprised and grateful for the people our family, old friends, and children. In celebrating their wholeness, we recognize the divine touch within us all.

Today, I ask God to help me live with my eyes open and welcoming changes in people and circumstances. May we all welcome and celebrate the divine touch in one another, so the world might be transformed by the love we share.