They took offense at him

3 AUGUST (Mt 13,54-58)

The Scripture teaches many truths. But one must never be forgotten, never erased from the mind, and never removed from the heart. The source of wisdom is not in man, in his family ties, in the schools he attends, in the books he studies, and in the friends he meets. Only God is the inexhaustible source of all wisdom and one is wise only for his gift of love. This gift must be asked with great humility, and unceasing prayer.

All wisdom comes from the Lord and with him it remains forever. The sand of the seashore, the drops of rain, the days of eternity: who can number these? Heaven’s height, earth’s breadth, the depths of the abyss: who can explore these? Before all things else wisdom was created; and prudent understanding, from eternity. To whom has wisdom’s root been revealed? Who knows her subtleties? There is but one, wise and truly awe-inspiring, seated upon his throne: It is the Lord; he created her, has seen her and taken note of her. He has poured her forth upon all his works, upon every living thing according to his bounty; he has lavished her upon his friends. Fear of the Lord is glory and splendor, gladness and a festive crown. Fear of the Lord warms the heart, giving gladness and joy and length of days. He who fears the Lord will have a happy end; even on the day of his death he will be blessed. The beginning of wisdom is fear of the Lord, which is formed with the faithful in the womb. With devoted men was she created from of old, and with their children her beneficence abides. Fullness of wisdom is fear of the Lord; she inebriates men with her fruits. Her entire house she fills with choice foods, her granaries with her harvest. Wisdom’s garland is fear of the Lord, with blossoms of peace and perfect health. Knowledge and full understanding she showers down; she heightens the glory of those who possess her. The root of wisdom is fear of the Lord; her branches are length of days. One cannot justify unjust anger; anger plunges a man to his downfall. A patient man need stand firm but for a time, and then contentment comes back to him. For a while he holds back his words, then the lips of many herald his wisdom. Among wisdom’s treasures is the paragon of prudence; but fear of the Lord is an abomination to the sinner. If you desire wisdom, keep the commandments, and the Lord will bestow her upon you; For fear of the Lord is wisdom and culture; loyal humility is his delight. Be not faithless to the fear of the Lord, nor approach it with duplicity of heart. Play not the hypocrite before men; over your lips keep watch. Exalt not yourself lest you fall and bring upon you dishonor; For then the Lord will reveal your secrets and publicly cast you down, Because you approached the fear of the Lord with your heart full of guile. (Sir 1,1-30).

Today, Jesus comes into his home in Nazareth. His fellow citizens know his humble origins and they take offense at his knowledge, intelligence, and wisdom. They are not able to think that all, in their history is always the work, gift, and donation of the grace of their God and Lord. Never has anything in their history been the fruit of their skill, work, commitment and dedication. Never has anything come from man. Always and only God was the Creator of their history. He has always been the Author of their present and future.

He came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.

Our faith must rest on solid historical foundations. Our history is the ground on which the faith must be planted so that it produces fruits of present good. A faith without history is ineffective, unable to lead us to a true discernment. Faith is the history of God with man, of Christ Jesus with man; but it is also history of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit with my person. My history must be a history of faith and it is from my historical faith that I must draw all wisdom of faith.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels, and Saints give us an intelligence of faith.