'Where did the man get all this?'

In today's Gospel, form Mark 6, we can understandably feel shocked at the way the locals, amongst whom Jesus grew up, responded to the signs and wonders that He perfeormed in their town.  They seemed to be asking one another 'Who does he think he is?  Where does he get his ideas from?'

We're told that Jesus taught in the synagogue there but that the people rejected Him.  From their reported words, it sounds as though they simply thought Him too lowly, or they felt too familiar with His family for Him to be quite as special as to be able to perform miracles.

Jesus is apparently amazed at their lack of faith.  It if for this reason that 'He could work no miracles there', except for a few healings, which He did by laying His hands directlyl on the sick person.

This little detail made me stop and think.  It was the lack of faith in Nazareth that actually prevented Jesus from performing miracles.  Anyone might think that this was a limitation on the power of Jesus or something lacking on His part.  However, if we think for a moment, that can't be right.  Jesus is God and the Second Person of the Holy Trinity - He could perform whatever miracles He wanted, where and whenever He wished.

No, the lacking lay on the part of the people - their lack of faith, their unbelief in Him and Who He is.

God is always coming, waiting to enter in, willingn to heal us, draw us near to Him and make us like Himself.  He is always able and never lacking in anything.  However, He can be prevented.  If we are not open and willing to be healed, He can't do it.  If we are not listening or refuse to hear His words of wisdom, He can't make His wisdom grow in us.  We have to want it and we have to ask Him to do it in us.

Jesus knew that 'a prophet is only despised in his own country', so He wouldn't have been surprised at their attitude.  However, he was amazed at their lack of faith because even though He did speak wisdom in their synagogue and did heal some of their neighbours, they still didn't believe and still rejected Him.

The readings of late have often been about faith - our lack of it or how to develop and grow out faith.  This one today seems a good lesson in being teachable and open to learning, givine God a second chance to show us Himself and to allow ourselves to be healed.  Only when we believe, can He act in us!