Jesus was not honored in His hometown

by FLL Editorial Team
2013-08-02

那時,耶穌來到自己的家鄉,在會堂裏教訓人,以致人們都驚訝說:「這人從那裏得了這樣的智慧和奇能?這人不是那木匠的兒子?他的母親不是叫瑪利亞,他的弟兄不是叫雅各伯、若瑟、西滿和猶達嗎?他的姊妹不是都在我們這裏嗎?那麼他的這一切是從那來的呢?」他們就對他起了反感。耶穌卻對他們說:「先知除了在自己的本鄉本家外,沒有不受尊敬的。」他在那裏,因為他們不信,沒有多行奇能。
瑪竇福音 13:54-58


Jesus in synagogue
耶穌回到自己的家鄉納匝肋講道,在會堂裏教訓人,聽見的人都驚訝於祂的智慧和奇能。可惜由於他們對耶穌和祂家人的熟悉,反而對祂起了反感,拒絕接受祂的教導。

雖然耶穌也曾因祂的出身而被人看輕,但被同鄉和與祂一起長大的人排斥,更是可悲,難怪祂在納匝肋沒有多行神蹟。

一方面,這福音引導我們去反省,我們有沒有因為一個人的出身而看輕他的能力和言行呢?當身邊的人訓導我們時,有沒有抗拒或以不尊敬的態度回應?要知道,天主其實往往透過我們身邊的人向我們作出啟示,也喜歡透過謙卑的人彰顯祂的大能,因為「天主拒絕驕傲人,卻賞賜恩寵於謙遜人。 」(雅4:6)

另一方面,這福音也顯示當我們缺乏信德時,會阻礙天主介入我們的生活,所以要時常懷著信賴和開放的心,迎接天主的勸勉。

Jesus came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter's son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.
Matthew 13:54-58

When Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth and preached in the synagogue, people were astonished by his wisdom and miracles. However, because of their familiarity with Jesus and his family, they felt offended and refused to believe in him. Although Jesus has been rejected by other people outside of Nazareth, it is rather sad that even His fellow people, some of whom He grew up with, would reject Him. No wonder he did not work a lot of miracles in Nazareth.

This gospel leads us to reflect, do we judge someone's advice, ability or work merely base on where they come from? When people around us is trying to teach us something, do we respond with disrespect or defensive behaviour? Do we envy when our peers have talents or gifts from God that we lack? Notice how God often work through people around us to reveal His teachings to us, or even to perform a work of grace. He also likes to work through those who are humble, because "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)

This gospel also tells us our lack of faith will hinder God's work in our lives, so we should always have an open and trusting heart, to let God work through people and things around us.

MORE ARTICLES

RELATED