“[Jesus] was amazed at their lack of faith.” (Mark 6:6)
For today’s readings, see AELF – July 7, 2024.
The protagonists of today’s gospel might remind us, with their marked skepticism, of modern people. They lack confidence in Jesus, reject him, and cannot believe that this man, visiting his hometown, is the Messiah sent by God. “That is not possible! We know him too well; he lived and grew up here with us! We know his family too; isn’t he the carpenter’s son?”
And because of this lack of faith, Jesus could not perform any miracles in his hometown.
How does Jesus react to the unbelief of his contemporaries? The gospel tells us that he “was amazed at their lack of faith” (Mark 6:6). He did not judge them for their unbelief, nor did he curse his hometown for refusing to accept him as a prophet. No, the gospel simply tells us that Jesus was amazed at their unbelief!
Similarly, when our faith is too weak or wavering, when so many men and women are skeptical, have become unbelievers, and cannot or do not want to believe anymore, Jesus does not condemn or judge us either, but he is amazed at our unbelief.
Jesus is amazed because he wonders: “How can these men, these women, these young and old alike, how can they close themselves off to faith, to my good news that wants nothing more than their happiness?”
Indeed, God wants our happiness, and that is why he is amazed when, sometimes with so much determination, we distance ourselves from our own happiness.
Ezekiel 2:2-5 / 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 / Mark 6:1-6
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