Jesus “returned to his hometown. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue. Many hearing him were in admiration at his doctrine saying, ‘How did this come to him? What kind of wisdom has been given to him that he performs also such miracles?’” (cf Mk 6:2)
Why did Jesus, after an absence of two years, spend some days at Nazareth? Did he wish to rest amidst friends and acquaintances, or to gain their applause? No; but to show them his affection, to do them service, and to sanctify them.
The Nazarenes received Jesus well; but soon became jealous and envious. “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the son of Joseph, the brother of James, and Joseph, and Jude, and Simon?” (cf Mk 6:3) “Where did he get all these things?” (cf Mt 13:56)
Thinking his great renown surpassed them, they were scandalized. As if he had usurped the title of teacher in Israel, or because his family is poor, they need not believe in him; and ended in disbelief.
Here is an example of the fatal effects of envy. The envious cannot bear to see others excel them in learning, merit, or success. Especially if they are inferior to them in birth or younger in age. They are ingenious in finding out their real or imaginary faults. Often the good they do, and praise they receive, is a crime.
The Nazarenes very plainly showed this hideous passion of envy. We blame them for it; but let us search the depths of our hearts and sincerely question our conduct. Most probably we shall find enough to make us dread its consequences.
The Nazarenes, thinking Jesus to be like other men, expected that his answer to their reproach for his humble birth would have been to work many miracles among them; but they were unworthy of such a favor. Our Lord told them so:
“Doubtless, you will say to me this similitude, ‘Physician, heal thyself; as great things as we have heard done in Capharnaum, do also here in thy own country’. And he said, ‘Truly, I tell you, no prophet is accepted in his own town’.” (Lk 4:23-4)
“All in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with rage. They rose, drove him out of the town and led him to the brow of the hill whereon their town was built, that they might cast him down the cliff.” (Lk 4:28-9)
We see to what terrible lengths uncontrolled passions can lead us. Let us look into ourselves and see if there is any dangerous passion which we are secretly keeping. Let us strive earnestly to fight against it. God will help us, and we shall soon subdue it.
Ref: cf “Practical Meditations” by a Father of the Society of Jesus, 1964, pp500-502
Defence of the Faith
In times of persecution and major tribulation, Christians continued to attract others to the Faith. Their very difficulties were the opportunity for carrying out an even more intense apostolate which was given greater credence because of good example and fortitude. Their words took on the strength of the Cross.
Martyrdom was a kind of testimony that was filled with supernatural vigour and had great apostolic effectiveness. Sometimes the martyrs’ very executioner embraced the Christian faith. (cf D Ramos, “Testimony of the First Christians”, Madrid 1969)
If we are really faithful to Christ we shall encounter all kinds of difficulties from open slander and persecution to discrimination. “The disciple is not greater than his Master.” (Mt 10:24) A Christian’s life and the meaning he gives to life is bound to clash with a world that has its heart set on material things.
The early Christians did not hold any grudge against whoever ill-treated them. (cf Didache I:1-2) We, too must always strive to drown evil in an abundance of good. (cf Rom 12:21) “Love will always be victorious. Love can overcome everything.” (cf John Paul I, “Angelus”, 24 September 1978) It has always been so.
The charity of the first Christians was aimed first and foremost at strengthening in the Faith of their weakest brethren, those who had only recently been converted, and all those who were most in need. We must not fail to do the same in times of adversity, calumny and persecution. Our steadfastness and cheerfulness at such times will be of great help to others.
We pray to Our Lady as the first Christians did: “'Sub tuum praesidium confugimus, Sancta Dei Genitrix ...' We fly to your patronage, O holy Mother of God. Despise not our prayers in our necessities, but deliver us from all dangers, O ever glorious and blessed Virgin.” (A G Hamman, “Prayers for the First Christians”, Madrid 1956)
Ref: cf F Fernandez, “In Conversation with God”, 6:339, 341-2
Faith and Culture, a Constructive Dialogue
Where agnostic ideologies, hostile to the Christian tradition, or even explicitly atheist ideologies inspire certain leaders of thought, there is a greater urgency for the Church to interface a dialogue with cultures, so that man of today may discover that, far from being man’s rival, God gives him the means to realize himself fully, in God’s image and likeness.
Man actually knows how to surpass himself infinitely as seen in efforts so many creative geniuses make to incarnate transcendental values of beauty and truth lastingly in works of art and thought; values which are more or less momentarily perceived as expressions of the absolute.
So, encounters with cultures today are a terrain for privileged dialogue among people committed to the search for a new humanism for our time, beyond the divergencies separating them. ...
On the other hand, it is urgent for our contemporaries, particularly Catholics, to ask themselves seriously on the conditions which are the basis of development of peoples. It is ever more evident that cultural progress is closely bound up with building a more just and more fraternal world.
Ref: cf “Prayers and Devotions from Pope John Paul II”, pp332-3
Our Lady of Rouen, erected by Robert, Duke of Normandy. Richard I, king of England, gave great gifts to this church, and the kings of France have granted it great privileges. — Merula, Cosmographia, part ii., lib. iii., c. 30. “Catholic Gems or Treasures of the Church” Historical Calendar (http://www.bethlehemobserver.com)
'Notre Dame de Rouen' / Our Lady of Rouen. Normandy, France. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm); (www.iskandar.com/ourlady/ourladyfeasts.html); (maryfest.htm / www.starharbor.com/santiago/m_feasts.html)
'La Conquistadora'. Marian statue (now, oldest Madonna in the US) miraculously rescued from an Indian attack and arson of the church in Santa Fe, New Mexico. 1680. (www.marylinks.org/Mary-Calendar.htm)
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