The Gospel
In the synagogue at Nazareth, Jesus 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.
The Offering
From Rick Putman
And he said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is accepted in the prophet’s hometown.”
I want us to think deeply about Jesus’ word “hometown”. Let us consider that “hometown” might have a broader meaning than and actual geographical location. Perhaps “hometown” refers to the seat of our very essence, our souls. Perhaps it’s here the prophet is unwelcome.
Here’s a song for you to reflect on this mystery: “Saint Honesty” by Sara Bareilles