14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
14th Sunday in Ordinary Time
July 9th

Familiarity breeds contempt
by Tom Cox

Homecomings are generally supposed to be happy events. Reunions with friends and families. A chance to walk around the old neighbourhood and remember and reflect. An opportunity to call to mind all the people and places that shaped us. When a celebrity comes home, red carpets, speeches and parades are the order of the day. Success has many friends, disgrace is an orphan.

We can only imagine the excitement surrounding Jesus' return to Nazareth. While word had surely spread to Nazareth of his work and wonders. It's sobering to see that it was in Church that Jesus was not recognised as the Messiah. It's also amazing and strangely consoling to think that the opinions of others paralysed even Jesus. Even today people in communities wield the power of life or death over initiatives and groups. Personal weaknesses and hostile forces often derail. It was no different in Jesus time. They were;

In a funny way, knowing too much about a person can blind us to what their potential is, too many facts can reduce faith. Familiarity breeds contempt. As we sit in our churches surrounded with the familiar; people, water and words, ordinary bread and wine; isn't it possible that we can easily miss what Jesus is saying and doing through them.

(Comments to Tom at stmarysrcathlone@oceanfree.net )