Quite often, those who know us best are also those who have known us the longest. When Jesus returns to his“native place”the people he has known for so long barely recognize the man they see preaching in the synagogue. They question him and they doubt him.
This story really shows what Jesus was up against as he took up his life of ministry—he was rejected by people he knew well and cared for, simply because of his dedication to the mission given to him by God. Of course, that was only the beginning of his many sacrifices made for us. What rejection and sacrifice am I willing to endure in order to give greater glory to God?
—Connor Walters is a communications coordinator at Saint Ignatius High School in Cleveland. He also coaches rowing and co-moderates the school’s Saint Benedict Joseph Labre Ministry to the Homeless.