Jesus returns to his hometown

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Once again in today's gospel, Matthew has chosen a story from Jesus' life to teach his disciples, then and now, a most important lesson for our life of faith. Jesus returned to his hometown of Nazareth and taught in the synagogue in such a way that that the people were amazed at his wisdom. But then they had second thoughts. We've seen him for years working as a carpenter living a life as ordinary as ours. He did a good job making my table and chairs but what right has he got to be preaching to us? I suppose he'll try to cure the sick next! So they would not accept him. We know that Jesus is the Risen Lord who is present to us in a special way, in the Eucharist. But when mass is over, we go home for breakfast, go to work or school and perhaps we leave Jesus behind in the church. But today he is telling us that he was the Son of God as much as when he was building a house as he was when he was preaching the good news. Before mass, I often ask the people if anything special happened during the week. Sometimes they say there has been a birthday or an anniversary but more often they say nothing special just work. But today the carpenter tells us that work is special. God sent his Son to be born as one of us and he entered into the ordinary, everyday events of human life to show us that we can can find him there. There is an old saying believed to be from Jesus though it was never included in the gospels. ''Raise the building stone and you will find me; cut the wood and I am there.'' Thank you, Lord. Open our eyes and our hearts that we may find you in all we do and do it all for you.