Memorial of Saint John Bosco, Priest
As we’ve begun making our way through the Gospel of Mark this liturgical year, I’ve noticed how often the word “astonished” or “amazed” occurs. In fact, Mark uses these terms fourteen times to describe people’s reaction to Jesus – to his words, his teaching, his innate authority, and his actions. Even Pontius Pilate is amazed by Jesus. Jesus himself is amazed at the people’s lack of faith. In today’s passage, the people are astonished/amazed at Jesus, but they also take offense at him. Today, let us consider our own reactions and responses to Christ and the Gospel. Are we amazed or offended?
Our Gospel begins, “Jesus departed from there and came to his native place, accompanied by his disciples. When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, ‘Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands!’” The Greek word that’s translated here as either astonished or amazed literally means “to strike out of one’s senses, to be dumbfounded, to be at a loss from witnessing the incredible.” It can also mean “to strike with panic or shock.” Picture the people gaping with incredulity, mouths hanging open, completely undone by Jesus’ wisdom, words, and mighty deeds. When you and I hear the Gospel proclaimed are we astonished in the way the scripture describes? Are we amazed by the ways in which God works in the situations of our lives and in the world? Are we dumbfounded by the working of the Holy Spirit within us, bringing us to conversion, healing, sanctification? Are we astonished by the miracle of the Sacraments? If not, perhaps we might pray for the awareness, humility, and graces we need to be more awestruck by the power of God within and around us.
After blurting out their astonishment, the people in today’s Gospel, continue, “‘Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joseph and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at him.” And they took offense at him. The Greek word here is from skandalízō, to be scandalized. This term means “to set a snare or stumbling block,” “to cause to stumble,” “to trip up,” or even “to entice to sin.” The same people whose immediate reaction to Jesus was amazement, quickly take offense as they apparently stop and doubt – but wait, isn’t this just the guy from down the block, an ordinary neighbor in our community . . .?
Jesus said to them, “‘A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.’ So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there, apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.” The people’s offense, their scandalous unbelief, became a stumbling block to Jesus’ ministry in their community. Now it’s Jesus’ turn to be amazed, amazed at their lack of faith.
Does our lack of faith become an obstacle to other people believing the Gospel and trusting in Jesus? Have our unbelief, words, or actions/inaction hindered Christ’s work in someone else? How about our hesitancy to share our faith? Do our words, actions, or inaction sometimes cause others to stumble? Have we ever, by our scandalous behavior, enticed someone else to sin? Let us examine our consciences today and confess any ways in which we’ve tripped up someone else by presenting barriers to the Gospel. Let us be inspired today to walk in the freedom which Christ won for us and to boldly believe and proclaim the Gospel. May our astonishment and amazement be evident and inspiring to all, and may our faith be contagious, inspiring many to come to the Lord. Thanks be to God!
-Elizabeth Wells