Please read the Scripture passage before the homily.
Jesus came to his native place. He began to teach in their synagogue, and he astonished many with his wisdom and mighty deeds. Jesus, however, had never gone to college or university and had no big degree after his name. To his native pace, Jesus was just a guy who could work with his hands, not with his head.
They knew him, him and his relatives. They were the family that lived down that street and who used to play whatever that game was every night. They knew him as the kid who may have had a father, but who seems to have disappeared years ago. They knew the whole brood and clan. They also knew that the family could not afford to send a person like him off to the University. So, they asked, “From where did all this wisdom come? We know his family and the rest does not make sense.”
Jesus was unable to perform any mighty deeds there because the people’s lack of faith prevented it. It seems true that we only receive what we think we can receive; we can use only what we think we can use. Our lack of faith has repercussions in our life and in the lives of others. The townspeople’s perception of Jesus kept him from using his mighty powers for them. To them, Jesus could only be the guy who could use his hands well, but who had no wisdom to offer them.
How do we try to limit God by our lack of faith and trust? How do we bless God by our trust and faith in God’s wisdom and power?