2 Aug
Fri
17th Week in Ordinary Time
St Eusebius of Vercelli, bishop
Jer. 26:1-9
Ps. 69:5,8-10,14
Mt. 13:54-58 (Psalter week I)
How To Pray With Shalom
Home Page of Shalom
Index of This Month
 

The townspeople of Nazareth regarded Jesus as an 'ordinary bloke'. Matthew describes how Jesus returned to His hometown, where the people were astonished to hear Him teaching in the local synagogue. They asked 'Where did the man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?' However, they remained unimpressed. To them He was simply the carpenter's son, they knew who His mother and other relatives were, and they didn't accept Him. In the Gospel Matthew gives us one of Jesus' famous sayings, 'A prophet is only despised in his own country and in his own house'. He then tells us that Jesus did not work many miracles there because of the people's lack of faith.

This is an example of a failure to recognize the extraordinary in ordinary people. In our own families also we tend to overlook the wonderful contributions to family life and well-being that each one of us makes. Perhaps it is time to take a really good look at what we do and thank God every day for all the extraordinary gifts He has given us. We should never take each other for granted but should try to look for the extraordinary in all persons. We are, after all, made in the image and likeness of God.



Lord, let Your wisdom prevail in us and honour all persons as You do.

DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
That respect for the environment, God's gift to all men and women, may increase both on a personal level and on that of world public opinion.
Elaboration

- END -