A NATION OF REBELS

XIV SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Mk 6:1-6

Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had grown up. Everybody knew him as “the carpenter, the son of Mary” (Mk 6:3). They got surprised when they heard his preaching in the synagogue. Where did he get such knowledge?

It is not unusual to find among ourselves simple and unlearned people who show extraordinary wisdom. And we may ask where did they get such wisdom. They have a listening heart, open to whatever happens around them. They allow themselves to be challenged by everything and everybody. They are able to read the signs that surround them. We may say that they allow themselves to be guided, illumined and instructed by the Spirit. I knew a lady in Lubengele who had a very deep knowledge of the Bible, being able to explain things that we learn in the books, although she had very little education. Who taught her? The Holy Spirit.

Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit, but the people of Nazareth, thinking that they knew everything about Jesus, never paid attention to the signs of the Spirit. He spoke words of wisdom, but they rejected him and his teaching. And Jesus was “was amazed at their lack of faith.” This lack of faith can be found throughout the Gospels, not only among the leaders, but also among the common people and sometimes even among the disciples. 

Even though Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith, the fact is that the theme of unbelief runs throughout the whole Bible, Old and New Testaments. This Sunday’s first reading, taken from the prophet Ezekiel, makes it clear that it is not just a question of lack of faith, caused by an inability to trust, but it is in fact an attitude of revolt. God accuses the people of being “impudent and stubborn” or “defiant and obstinate” and considers them “nation of rebels who have rebelled against me” (Ez 2:3-4).

In spite of all the wonders that God performed for them, setting them free and constituting them into a nation, the people of Israel were dominated by an attitude of doubt and suspicion. They could not trust and believe, and they always suspected God of hidden intentions  and evil plans. To God’s ways, they preferred their own ways, convinced that they know better than God. In spite of that, God makes sure that there are prophets among them, to point out their evil ways and to indicate the way to conversion and salvation.

Jesus is the great prophet, who came to be the light of the world, pointing out the way to life and salvation.