A homily on how we often reject God’s wisdom when it comes through familiar faces and simple lives, inspired by the word “astonished” in Matthew 13:54–58 (1-8-25).
Praise be to Jesus Christ
There was once a poor family who lit a small clay lamp every evening at their doorstep. It was not bright, but it gave enough light for people to see where they were stepping. For years, no one paid much attention to it. One day, a visitor from the city brought a fancy electric lamp. It was beautiful and gave off a strong light. People said, “Now this is real light.” But when a storm came that night and the power failed, the electric lamp stopped working. The family quietly brought out their old clay lamp and lit it again. It burned steadily, faithfully, just as before.An old woman who saw this smiled and said, “We praise what is new and shiny. But we forget what is faithful and true.”
In the Gospel today, Jesus comes to His hometown. He begins teaching in the synagogue, and the people are amazed. The Gospel says, “They were astonished.” But it wasn’t the astonishment of faith. It was the kind that turns into doubt. They said, “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Don’t we know His family?” They had already made up their minds about Him. Because He was familiar, they could not accept the wisdom and power that now came through Him.
This kind of reaction is not just from two thousand years ago. It happens even today — in our families, in our schools, in our religious houses. Maybe a girl who struggled in class later becomes a wise teacher, and some say, “She? But she was so weak in school.” Or a boy who failed in business later becomes a leader, and people whisper, “Wasn’t he the one who made so many mistakes?”
Even in religious life, it happens. A sister who was once quiet and unnoticed becomes a source of deep wisdom and prayer. A priest who was once unsure of himself becomes a spiritual guide. But still, people hesitate to listen. They remember the past and close their hearts to the present.
Why is it so hard for us to accept growth in others? Why are we surprised when someone we once saw as ordinary becomes wise or holy? Just like the people of Nazareth, we get astonished but not converted. We doubt what is too close, too familiar.
The Bible tells us again and again that God chooses what seems small. Moses stammered, David was the youngest, Joseph was sold as a slave, and Jesus? He was a carpenter. He worked with His hands in silence for thirty years before He ever preached a word. Maybe He was teaching us that deep wisdom is often shaped in silence, in ordinary life, far from the eyes of the world.
St. Joseph, too, never spoke a word in the Gospels. But he taught Jesus how to work, how to pray, how to trust. And Saint Teresa of Calcutta reminded us, “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
God still speaks through familiar faces; maybe through the quiet sister who sweeps the chapel floor, or the cook in the kitchen, or a child in your class. Let’s not miss His voice just because it comes in simple words. Let us not be too proud to learn from those we think we know.
Lord, give me the grace to see You in those I once overlooked, and to receive Your wisdom with a humble heart.
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God Bless…
Very good reflections
Thank you very much, Father, for your powerful and deeply meaningful reflectioN.
Wonderful message. Thank you Father for inspiring us with your meaningful homily
Thank you Father for the inspiring message.
Very nice