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FAILURE!
In today’s Gospel Jesus comes to his hometown Nazareth.
It’s not just a social visit – Nazareth too needs to hear about the Kingdom
of God.
He preaches in the synagogue on the Sabbath and is rejected –
by his own people! They remember who he was – a carpenter - and their memory
proves to be a useful fiction. It keeps Jesus at a level where they can
handle – and reject – him.
Jesus takes his rejection badly. Obviously, he is hurt
– after all, he is human! Worse, he finds that he is powerless “to perform
any mighty deed there”. Imagine, Jesus powerless!! People’s lack of trust
limits his ministry. Distrust disables him.
Jesus moves on, refusing to be held captive by the
people’s lack of faith – and, he never returns to Nazareth again.
Ultimately, the ministry of Jesus ends on the cross,
the ultimate rejection and powerlessness. However, it is this very weakness
that points beyond itself to the Father and to ultimate triumph and
Resurrection.
Paul applies this principle to his own limitations –
and to ours. God’s power, God’s “grace” is more than sufficient for us, more
than enough to see us through. Our limitations, our weaknesses are not a
problem for God, in fact, God works through our brokenness.
So, Paul – and Jesus – tell us – be content with
your weakness and failures (but don’t use them as excuses!). Our humanness
gives us a proper perspective on how we should view God – and ourselves. We
learn from experience that when we admit our failures and limitations
honestly, it is often the beginning of a new understanding, new wisdom. If
God can take our failures in stride, the sky’s the limit!
Fr. King
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