In this week's gospel we encounter a well known scriptural phrase: "A prophet is without honor in his own land."   And, as if to emphasize the point, we see that those from his home land actually took offense at Jesus.  Jesus, unable to perform any "mighty deed" there, was amazed at their lack of faith.

What an interesting, short passage.  It is instructive in several ways.  First, the folks from his native place, who must have known him since his youth, came to this situation with certain perceptions and expectations.  Apparently, their impressions were not all that positive, and their expectations were low.  "Who does this guy think he is? He's only a carpenter!  What does he know?  Why, I remember when he was a kid and did...."  Although what they knew of him may have been accurate, he had evolved beyond their experience of him.  He had gone through a mystical conversion; the baptism in the Jordan; the time of fasting and prayer in the desert; the testing and temptations; the numerous times he sensed the Divine when he was in the presence of the poor, the marginalized, and the sinners.   

While he may have looked the same, he was not the same.  He now had a spiritual depth, a spiritual wisdom, and a spiritual energy which was exhibited in "signs and wonders."  However, they could not recognize this because they could not see beyond their expectations.  How often are we in this position?  How often are we unable to recognize and appreciate the growth, the maturity, the change that others have experienced?  How often do we carry expectations of others, thereby limiting them, and limiting our relationships with them?  And, how often do we fail to recognize and appreciate the movement of God's Spirit, doing something new and beautiful in our lives, and the lives of others around us?  How often is God unable to be present to us in "signs and wonders" because our perceptions are limiting, and our expectations small?

It is also interesting that they were offended by Jesus.  Was it his mere presence that was unsettling for them?  Genuine, honest, pure people can do this to you; their very presence can cause you to be aware of those spaces in your own life where you are not sincere, not truthful, not loving, not compassionate.  Were they aware of their own deceptions, their own illusions, their own shallow judgments while in his presence?  Or, were they jealous of him?  Were they comparing themselves with him, jealous and offended that he had developed a reputation and a following, while they had not?  Or, were they perhaps uncomfortable with his message? Many people were.  Were they uncomfortable with the Good News that God loved all of them as they were (which also implied that they should accept, forgive and be compassionate with one another)?  Were the common folk angry that he was telling them that they should extend themselves in love and compassion to strangers, to the marginalized, and even to their enemies?  Were the Pharisees and Priests upset that he told people they could talk with God directly, in fact call God 'Abba,' or 'Daddy' - undercutting their institutional structure, their system of temple taxes, as well as their status and prestige?  

Jesus' presence, his way of relating with people, and his message upset many.  As we know, it eventually led to his arrest, torture and death.  Where do you stand with Jesus?  Is the presence of Jesus revealing of deceptions and illusions in your life? Are you uncomfortable with the Good News that God loves you as you are?  That we are all sisters and brothers of the same loving God, and should extend ourselves in compassion and solidarity with the marginalized?  Or, are you open to the re-orienting presence of Jesus in your life?  Are you receptive to his message? Do you desire to know Jesus more intimately, to live as he lived, value what he valued, and love as he loved?  

May we, with the help of God's grace, move beyond our limiting perceptions and small expectations, and be open to the re-orienting presence of Jesus in our lives.  May we experience the "signs and wonders" of the presence of the living God, in our hearts, in our relationships, and in our community.

May it be so among us.  Amen.