Reflection
Going Home
In the past few months, many of us have either longed to or actually “gone home.” Holidays and wintertime dreams often encourage a trip “home,” to familiar surroundings, to family and friends — even including some time to relax and be refreshed.
Today’s Gospel recounts Jesus going home, “…to his native place…”, along with his disciple-friends. No doubt He enjoyed being with his family and with His disciples. Being “The Man of Prayer,” Jesus prayed and taught in the local synagogue…to the amazement and questions of the hometown folk! “We know him, his family; where did he get this wisdom and power?” Some even took offense at Him. What a homecoming! No wonder Jesus was unable to share any mighty deeds there, so amazed at their lack of faith.
Which leads me to a simple reflection on family and “home.” No doubt we can so easily take things and people for granted, even home and family!
All too often, we miss those everyday dimensions of personhood and place, how we feel welcome and appreciated, how loved ones’ words and deeds help form our lives, our memories, even our surroundings.
These days the retail stores are helping us gear up for Valentine’s Day by their colorful displays and offerings of cards and candy. These help focus our love and attention for one another, which hopefully flows from the love that is based on Jesus, giving us life and making us family. Perhaps…just perhaps…today’s Gospel passage can encourage us to really open our eyes and hearts to one another, to the life we share which is “home.” Perhaps we can see more deeply and set aside the quick judgments, the impatience that often stifle a deeper appreciation of God’s presence in one another, especially our family. Perhaps we can more readily appreciate the blessings that are our families and our homes—and tell them so! Then Jesus can “perform a mighty deed…” and help us grow in faith, hope, and love.
May God bless us, day by day – ourselves, our families and friends, and all in need of healing and encouragement!
