The crowd in today’s Gospel attests to something we may be inclined to forget. For 30 years, Jesus was undistinguished from his neighbors: just an ordinary son from an ordinary family. Like his apostles did, we slowly come to see him as who he is and listen to what he, the Word of God, teaches us about himself and the present members of his family, those we live with, see and hear about. Branches on the vine.
We may think we live pious lives but it’s easy forget what Jesus tells us: “What you did to the least of my brothers you did to me.” Matt: 25,41. The neighbors of Jesus in Nazareth, may seem to have been ordinary, unattractive, even gross. But how does Jesus, the Word of God, describe them? So, what’s the fit way for me now, trying to lead a pious life?
Fraternal bonds become more apparent when I see Jesus in the people with whom I co-exist, when they shed their here- and-now identity and I allow Jesus to give me the glasses of faith to see them as he sees them, and hope to join with them in praising him forever in the world to come, where fraternal bonds are made perfect.
Resolution: Today, I shall spend some time asking the Holy Spirit, who dwells within me, to increase in me deeper faith, hope, and charity in the light of today’s Gospel.