Gospel: (Mk 6:1-6)
Jesus came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house.” And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching.
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St. Faustina noted in her Diary (D. 454, 633)
My daughter, take the graces which people have scorned; take as much as you can carry.
I’m amazed people can be so jealous. Whenever I see that someone has something that is good, I’m happy for them, just as if it were my own good, I’m happy when others are, and I suffer when others suffer, otherwise I would not dare come up to Jesus. The spirit of Jesus is ever simple, gentle, and sincere; all malice, jealousy, unkindness under the guise of a kindly smile is just a clever little devil; a stern word that comes from a sincere love never wounds the heart.
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- Today Jesus invites me to open my heart: take favors that people despise; take the graces which people have scorned; take as much as you can carry. To receive graces from the Lord, my heart must be humble and merciful.
- The spirit of Jesus is always simple, gentle, sincere… do I see these virtues in my heart?
- Today I will look carefully at what is in my heart. Is there no malice, jealousy, unkindness, etc.?
