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We believe all of creation is holy and has a sacramental capacity to “speak” of God. It follows that prophets, vehicles of God’s self-revelation past and present, would be respectfully received and embraced as mediators between humanity and divinity.
Today’s readings remind us, though, that prophets are not always welcomed. Mark’s story of Jesus teaching in his hometown synagogue presents a curious situation. Though his listeners are initially astounded by his wisdom and deeds, doubt soon creeps into their hearts. Suspicion leads to rejection and to a dismissive unbelief that amazes even Jesus.
He is not heard. A poor itinerant preacher, a teacher without formal training or credentials, a carpenter, a local, one of the crowd, familiar and ordinary – he is judged to be unqualified to offer spiritual insight.
Mark’s Gospel invites us to reflect on the voices we hear and those we exclude. As part of an institutional Church that has been shaped by centuries of patriarchy, clericalism, and colonialism, can we hear God’s call to justice, reconciliation and transformation in the voices of the ordinary, the powerless, the rejected – the poor, women, Indigenous peoples – those among us who once were found unworthy? May we be prophets in our own hometowns.