The folks in Jesus’ hometown go from being astonished by him—by the wisdom of his words and by his healing power—to taking offense at him—another way of saying they were scandalized by him. Scandal is a word typically associated with unsavory things or things repulsive in themselves, but that’s not the case here. It’s the opposite, really; the people take offense at Jesus’ goodness.
What did we mean when we said that someone in our company was becoming “too big for his britches”? It may have been a comment on the person’s high-and-mighty attitude. But it might also have reflected a desire on our part to hold on to the status quo, to ward off the discomfort of changing our accustomed modes of seeing and acting. In this hometown scene, astonishment stopped short of embracing the claim that Jesus was making upon their lives. How dare this man, one of their own, rouse them from their settled ways to a life of discipleship?
Thank you, thank you Father Dennis. Your reflection is spot on! How many times in life are we surprised and unfortunately, a tad envious of a friend or even a family member’s good fortune. I needed to hear about the goodness Jesus brought to His hometown, and yet they questioned his validity. Dear Lord Jesus, please forgive my past mistakes and bring your All encompassing goodness to my heart.
Fr. Dennis words of inspiration. Thank you. Change is hard but as long as it is for good we can do this. I am not sure which direction my world is turning these days but will try everyday to have faith and know that God is beside me along the way. Blessings to all the LFF especially those neding an extra hand these days and may we all spread Gods love through all the world.
Had a ct scan yesterday praying that my results are fine. God is good all the time, all the time God is good……please God hear my prayers. Thank you for your mercy 1 4 3
AD - you got this. God will be with you on this journey regardless of the result. Amen.
AD, I've been in your shoes a couple of times. I found that when I turned everything over to God and relaxed, knowing that he would be with me, with good or bad results, I seemed closer to God. God has this!
Praying for good results on your CT scan, AD. The Lord of all goodness is with us all the time.
AD I will pray for you right now. Priest at my church use to start Mass with that saying " God is good " we would reply "all the time" the he would say" all the time" we woul reply "God is good " thanks for bringing back good memories. Living faith family please keep Dennis and Shelly in your prayers. Also Christine who's a caregiver for her mom Stephanie. Ken
AD...Yes, God is good ALL the time! Praying for good, God blessed results!
Fr. Dennis, just beautiful today. I know there have been times in my life when I hear about someone I knew from grade school or high school doing great things. I had some surprise and wonder and maybe if I'm honest with myself, some disbelief. Ultimately I celebrate it and use it as inspiration, meaning, "Well, if they could do that, surely I could do (fill in the blank)." Silly, but true for me. THANK YOU ALL FOR CARRYING ME ON MY WORK JOURNEY!!!! You were all my Simons of Cyrene. Believe it. You made the difference in allowing me to pray, work through and announce my retirement in a way felt like I had some control over it. The outpouring from my network at work has been tremendous. I want to share a beautiful note that someone sent me this a.m. "Jane - Katherine passed on the org announcement about you retiring. I just wanted you to know how many lives you’ve positively influenced at P66. You have been thoughtful and honest in my interactions and I will miss you dearly. I remember the first time listening to you speak in Bville at TechFest with your I love IT shirt on. I was inspired by your genuineness and approachability. Phillips will have a hole in its soul when you leave." That was so touching for me. Feeling blessed and sending all of you positive thoughts going into the weekend. Lastly, Vicky, please continue to exercise your wonderful gift of writing and reflection. As a prophet, you are celebrated in this hometown!! Amen.
Jane, it’s been a “whirlwind “ week for me and I have fallen behind in my LF readings. I just saw where you announced your retirement and am very happy for you. I’ve been retired now for 10 years, way sooner than I expected to, but God was the author of it all and I had to submit to His plan. I’m sure He has great plans for you as you transition to the next chapter of your life. I’m betting that you are like me, have a lot of energy and will use your talents to bless others in the years to come.
Just a beautiful and genuinely honest note from your colleague, Jane. I’m sure it’s just the beginning of many, many more good wishes and encouraging thoughts from everyone you’ve shared the workplace with all these years. It seems to me that whatever you do, you do it with gusto and you have the ability to find people’s strengths and gifts and use them for the good of all involved. Relax and enjoy the pressure free time left at your company as you prepare for those doors that Our Lord is opening for you, and keep having fun!
Jane it sounds like you may have another door opening in your life and being called to use your talents in other ways. Congratulations and blessings to a prosperous and happy retirement.
I don’t think many of us like to have our faults or shortcomings pointed out to us. And if the person doing so is a close relative or friend, it stings even more because they know us better. However, on further reflection we may admit, at least to ourselves, that there is some truth to their words and determine to change that behavior. Both Jeremiah and Jesus were the object of derision and anger when they spoke to the people in their hometowns about their need to repent of their sinful actions. Hopefully many were eventually able to admit to their wrongdoing and did repent and change their ways. Lord help me to listen with open ears and mind to those who unmask me seeking my good and not to offhandedly reject their words. Amen
Lord please hear our prayers and bring your light to all those experiencing natural disasters, and those in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur, the Sudan, in addition to all those suffering around the world - also for their strength, courage and resilience to continue walking in faith. Send them your light. Father in Heaven, have mercy on us and on the whole world! You sent Your Son, the Prince of Peace, for the salvation of the world. We pray that the Peace of Christ will reign in Haiti, the Middle East, Ukraine, Russia, Darfur and Sudan. Please protect and send aid to those in need and all who are at-risk. We pray for peace and rebuilding– we who are working towards it and for all those who are suffering or in danger from conflicts. We pray for an end to violence and war – we pray for wisdom for all leaders who have a hand in this. Lord God please help those in most need of thy mercy. Amen.
Fr. Gallagher, thank you so much for this wonderful clarification on Jesus' hometown! I've never heard anyone explain it as it should be. It hit home because we recently received a plethora of joyous news from friends who had multiple celebrations and accomplishments. Sometimes news like this is hard to swallow because it's so much goodness, almost overwhelming. But then you look at the goodness of the people and realize that living their lives as God intended, produced even more goodness, all from the grace of God!
*** Peter summarized the Jeremiah reading today in 1 Peter 1:22-25, “You have made yourselves pure by obeying the truth. So you have an honest and true love for each other. So love one another deeply, from your hearts. You have been born again by means of the living Word of God. His Word lasts forever. You were not born again from a seed that will die. You were born from a seed that can’t die. It is written, “All people are like grass. All their glory is like the flowers in the field. The grass dries up. The flowers fall to the ground. But the Word of the Lord lasts forever.” (Isaiah 40:6–8) And this is the Word that was preached to you!” *** Who is the Word? John 1:1-2, 14, “In the beginning, the Word was already there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning…The Word became a human being. He made His home with us. We have seen His glory. It is the glory of the One and Only, Who came from the Father. And the Word was full of grace and truth!” *** What is the Word? Luke 8:11, “This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the Word of God!” *** Do you know the Word? ******* There is nothing like joining a Bible study group in learning “the Word - Jesus, the seed” together ✝️ I can’t wait to start studying Revelation Sept 2024 - May 2025 in Bible Sudy Fellowship ❤️ There are more than 1,250 in-person and 2,000 online classes in 37 countries! Google it yourself…….some people may take offense because of the “status quo!”
*** Matthew 4:4, “Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man must not live only on bread. He must also live on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” (Deuteronomy 8:3)” *** Isaiah 55:11, “It is the same with My Word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it!” *** Hebrews 4:12, “For the Word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires!” ******* Thy Word by Amy Grant https://youtu.be/a6LC8cu03Ig?si=KfL_SCmxmaKojg-8
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I am reading this book, “Holier than Thou” by Jackie Hill Perry! *** How to be holy? “We have supposed that the way to help people be holy is to just tell them to “stop sinning,” when in fact, lasting transformation is a spiritual consequence of “beholding the glory of God” (2 Cor. 3:18).” *** 2 Corinthians 3:18, “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—Who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image!” *** “Beholding, we become; holy!” ******* ✝️ Holiness is the work of the Holy Spirit ✝️ Behold, become and believe ✝️