Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.
Today's Gospel: Matthew 13:54-58
Do you have a before and after to your faith life? Maybe you are a cradle Catholic, but you didn’t take your spiritual life seriously until you had children. Or maybe you’re like me and you converted as an adult.
When people who knew you before spend time with you now, they notice something different. You don’t talk about the same things; you don’t spend your time and money the way you used to.
I imagine the scene of Jesus back in His hometown, just as we might meet up with all the kids we went to school with, the babysitters, the coaches, the teachers, and they’re all wearing confused expressions. “Hey, isn’t He Mary’s son? I changed His diapers!” or “His dad made our kitchen table!” They weren’t just curious, though. They were offended.
Jesus changed as He grew, though He was always the Son of God. The villagers weren’t privy to the identity of the then-young man or the grown man who was recognized as the Savior of all humankind.
While it’s true that Jesus changed, the same can be said of those who met Him. Jesus changes people. One brief encounter changes the ingredients, shifts the ratios, adds a bit of this, and removes some of that. What’s left is a brand-new creature.
The people in Jesus’ hometown couldn’t replace the image of who they’d known before to see the God-man standing before them. The before image blocked their faith, and faith fuels miracles.
Not many miracles that day in Nazareth. To be made new, we must be open to letting Jesus change us.
Ponder:
Do you believe that Jesus can truly change people? Has He changed you?
Pray:
Jesus, give me the faith to trust You and the plans You have for my life. I surrender to You; change me so I am more like You.
Copyright 2025 Natalie Hanemann
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