How do I see Jesus in my life?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Fourteenth Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Mk 6:1-6*

*First Reading : Ez 2:2-5*

*SECOND READING - 2 Cor 12:7-10*

*How do I see Jesus in my life?*

*1) The perception about Jesus by His native people*

The Gospel of the day clearly tells us what the native people of Jesus saw in him

*A) A carpenters Son*

First of all they saw a ordinary namesless carpenters son

The name of the carpenter is also not given, which shows the mean mentality of the native people of Jesus 

*B) Mary's Son*

Instead of Joseph's name they highlighted Mary's name,  to insult His birth 

Once again the hypocrisy of the native people is seen here. They saw in Jesus a ordinary woman's Son

*C) Brother of Ordinary People*

The native people also gave the list of Jesus' brothers and sisters

They judged the personality of Jesus based on the personality of his so called siblings

*D) Person from ordinary working Class*

Carpentry was one of the ordinary works of that time. There isn't anything extraordinary things about carpentery 

They couldn't think of a persons great reputation from the working class that too from the carpentery. 

So they so only a carpenters son and not God's son in Jesus 

*E) His Sisters are with us*

This reference once again to undermine the importance of Jesus. Women had no role during the time of Jesus 

Identifying someone with women means, one has no significance or one is not at important. Such a message is conveyed in this statement

*2) Extraordinary Things they saw in Jesus*

At the same time they also saw some extraordinary things in Jesus 

*A) Extraordinary Wisdom*

They saw extraordinary wisdom in the words of Jesus. Such a wisdom they had never seen before in anyone's life 

*B) Person who does mighty deeds*

They also saw the special power, especially to work miracles, to heal the sick, the raise the dead 

That's why they exclaimed saying what mighty works are done by this person 

*C) Exceptional personality*

They saw a exceptional personality in Jesus 

The way he proclaimed Gospel, they way he approached, his power over nature and other mighty things made them to see a exceptional personality in Jesus

*3) The Final outcome*

All the great things are recorded in the first part of the Gospel. 

The first few things which the native people saw in Jesus really makes him a great person 

But unfortunately, the native people failed to accept Jesus as a great person 

What they saw in Jesus and what they behaved was totally different 

Finally they concluded he is only a carpenters son. They forgot all the great things which they saw in Jesus 

That was the great tragedy of the native people of Jesus 

*4) Jesus in diffent images by other people*

At the same time there were many others who saw great things in Jesus 

*A) Miracle Worker*

Many those who followed Jesus saw in Him a great miracle worker. Jesus had special power to work miracles

*B) Power to forgive sins*

Many others saw in Jesus the great power to forgive sins. Many experienced the power of forgiveness from Jesus 

*C) Divine Healer*

Indeed Jesus was a great divine healer. Many people were healed by Jesus. That is why many saw great divine healer in Jesus 

*D) One who has the authority over natural powes*

Many saw divine power in Jesus. Other than God no one can control the powers of the nature. 

The very fact Jesus calmed the sea and wind, it shows the divinity of Jesus. Many saw divine nature of Jesus and accepted him as the Saviour of the world  

*E) As a Revolutionist*

The revolutionist Jesus was seen in two levels 

The Pharisees, scribes, and religious  leaders saw the revolutionist Jesus as the one who is involved in blasphemy. For them Jesus was a great challenge for their selfish interests 

Others saw in Jesus a revolutionist person, one who works for the betterment of the society and liberates people from bandage 

*5) Reasons for Rejection*

Hypocrisy

Selfish interests

Arrogance 

Vested interests

Fear of losing authority and power 

Rebellious nature 

Hardness of heart 

Lack of humility

Laxity to change  

*4) What do I see in Jesus?*

The main theme of today's liturgy consists in this question

Answering this question will help us to see our relationship Jesus 

Do I see Jesus as business person, in the sense that when I ask something he must give me? 

Is it Jesus like TV for me, one whom I want to control with remote control? 

Do I see a police person in Jesus? 

Do I see a rich merchant in Jesus? 

Or do I see in Jesus 

A compassionate person

A divine healer 

A good shepherd

One who forgives sins

One who loves sinners 

One who is involved very much in our struggles 

What else do I see in Jesus?

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*