Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: January 31, 2024

Date:  Wednesday of the 4th Week in Ordinary Time/Memorial of St. John Bosco

Scripture Text:  Mark 6:1-6

Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” So, he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today from Mark recounts Jesus’ return to his native area and the reception He received. Instead of embracing Jesus and his wisdom, authority, and power, many were suspicious of Him. How could one from their midst of such “common origin” be so wise and have so much authority? Because of their doubt, Jesus was not able to do the mighty deeds He’d done elsewhere, telling the receiver, “Your faith has saved you.”

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How open am I to the LORD’s working through those I know?  

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your beloved Son to dwell among us as our brother and from within our midst to redeem us from our sins and reconcile us to You. Instead of a palace, you chose a humble shelter with a manger for your Son’s arrival. Instead of being born to a well-known regal couple, You chose to send your Son to an unknown virgin and a modest carpenter. You sent the Messiah we prayed for and hoped for, but we did not recognize Him because He didn’t look like what we expected. Send your Spirit to enlighten our minds and enlarge our hearts so that we might be open to your loving yet mysterious ways. Grant that through grace we might recognize You at work in our world, in our family, in us.  Through your Spirit, bestow upon us the ability to see your Son as our Savior, believe in Him with all our heart and mind, and follow Him as his disciples. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.