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.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
It feels like Jesus is challenging me in this Gospel. On today’s feast day, however, I look to St. Ignatius’ wisdom, who sees this total surrender of the things of this world as an invitation. Be free. Free of cultural norms, obligations, anxieties, and all my stuff. Listen to Jesus and you will learn to let go. Sure, there will be suffering, but we all suffer. With him, there is a deeper meaning along with unity and redemption. With Jesus the invitation is to be free to love fully and completely with total abandon.
What do I need to let go of, in order to love more fully?
—Erin Maiorca is the Executive Director at Bellarmine Jesuit Retreat House in Barrington, IL. Erin’s other vocations include wife to Tom and mother to two wonderful sons.
Good and gracious God, help me to see as you see,
Free me to be guided by your Holy Spirit.
Create in me the freedom to choose that which leads me to you.
—Erin Maiorca
Please share the Good Word with your friends!
