Today’s Scripture Readings

Gospel Reading

NRSV

He left that place and came to his home town, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, ‘Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offence at him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Prophets are not without honour, except in their home town, and among their own kin, and in their own house.’ And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching.

In today’s Gospel, the people of Jesus’ hometown “took offence at him,” questioning his power and wisdom because they knew His humble origins. As a result of their lack of faith, “he could do no deed of power there,” and he “was amazed at their unbelief.”

The formula for the cause-and-effect pattern we see in the Gospel and throughout the history of salvation is this: Cause: people (we) lose trust/faith in God and rely on our own understanding or strength. Effect: people (we) experience separation from the grace of God.

This may seem to imply that we have a transactional relationship with God, whereby we must do good so that He will do good to us. We even read in today’s Gospel that “he [Jesus] could do no deed of power there” due to the people’s lack of faith.

We know that God is omnipotent (can do all things). However, some things are logically impossible, such as drawing a square circle; the concepts contradict themselves. In the same way, we cannot be in a state of God’s grace when we do not trust Him. You cannot have your cake and eat it too!

God’s relationship with us is not transactional, nor is His power limited. It is simply that He knows we must be intimately in love with Him, the source of truth, goodness, and beauty, so that we may flourish and therefore inherit His Kingdom.

This Gospel reading should lead us to question: Do I desire an intimate relationship with God? Do I seek His counsel in all things or rely on my own understanding? Do I trust in Him or in my own strength?