After realising the truth, refusing to accept it is a great offense

Gospel Thoughts*

*Fourth Week : Wednesday*

*GOSPEL - Mk 6:1-6*

*First Reading - Heb 12:4-7, 11-15*

*After realising the truth, refusing to accept it is a great offense*

*1) Jesus in His native Place*

Usually people those who are from the native place know their people well 

When Jesus came to His native place along with His disciples, people knew many truths about Jesus, His divine power and His extraordinary wisdom 

The above fact becomes very clear in their expressions. The following are the expressions of the people 

*A) Many who heard him were astonished*

This expression and attitude of the people gives us an impression that, Jesus spoke in an extraordinary way 

To create such an response from the people Jesus really spoke something which was not spoken by anyone before Jesus 

These words of Jesus also made them to realise that Jesus is an extraordinary person 

*B) Where did this man get all this?*

This expression once again tells us that Jesus had special divine power and His approach was something different than others 

In a way people were amazed to see such special qualities in Jesus 

Once again it is very clear that people knew some more deep truths about Jesus 

*C) What kind of wisdom has been given him?*

By their approach, people realised that Jesus' wisdom was something which could not be compared to any  body else 

His wisdom was far superior than any body's else. 

This also proves the capacity of Jesus 

*D) What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!*

The people witnessed the miraculous power Jesus 

They practically saw many miracles which were performed by Jesus 

All these above expressions of people show that they had witnessed the extraordinary power of Jesus 

*2) People refuse to accept the reality even after knowing the real truth*

The attitude of people show that they did not accept the truth, but they ridiculed the truth 

-Is he not the carpenter?

- Is he not the son of Mary? 

-Are we not very familiar with his brothers?  - James,  Joseph, Judas and Simon?

-Are not his sisters here with us?”

So the people saw the great truth from this background and they refused to accept it in the right spirit.

*3) They took offense at him* 

Offense is an insult or insulting the person in front of another 

These people after having experienced the real truth, insulted Jesus by comparing Him to a carpenters son, Marys Son and also pointing His brothers who were with them 

At least those people who knew the truth would have remained silent admiring the greatness of Jesus

Instead of that they publicly insulted Jesus for His wisdom, mighty works and other great deeds 

*4) Offense for good things and not for bad things*

It is very clear from the narration, that people took offense at Jesus not for bad things but for Good and Great things 

Taking offense for something good and great is really a great crime from the part of the people 

Offense comes after knowing the truth and the reality of the truth. So this is something shocking 

*5) The culture of taking offense for good things continues even today*

This culture is becoming very powerful in our surrounding 

Even after knowing and experiencing the truth, many people try to murder the truth 

Today opinions decide everything. That is why the culture of taking offense for good things continues in every sphere. 

*6) Do I find difficult to accept the truths reveled by others, miraculous power and wisdom of others*

Many people, specially proud people have this difficulty of accepting the above mentioned things 

Do I belong to this category? 

*7) The reality of truth, miraculous power and extraordinary wisdom are not my sole properties*

Many people think when such things happen in and through me they are 100% true and everyone has to accept 

But the reality is that, truth can come from anywhere, miraculous power can be seen in any body and wisdom can be experienced from any corner. 

Only when we have humility we can accept the known truths with full heart and mind.

*8) Refusing to accept the known truths and realities is a biggest crime*

Once we come to know the truth and still we refuse to accept the truth would become a greatest crime 

The native people of Jesus knew what was the real truth, but still they refused to accept it. That became a biggest crime in their life. 

What about my life? 

Am I ready to accept the known truths which come to me through my family members, from a ordinary person, from unexpected situations and from those who are younger to us? 

Reflect about it

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*