In his remarks ahead of the Angelus prayer in St. Peter’s Square on Sunday, His Holiness Pope Francis highlighted that God overturns every human preconception and prejudice, which prevent us from grasping reality. The Pontiff reflected on the day’s Gospel (Mk 6:1-6), which recounts how Jesus’ return to his hometown lead to incredulity on the part of those who saw him grow up.
As reported by Vatican Radio, Holy Father Pope Francis remarked that “People from all areas surrounding Nazareth showed up to see this son of the people who had become known as a wise teacher and powerful healer. But what could have been a success turned into a resounding rejection, to the point that Jesus could not work any miracles there, but only a few healings. They refused to see beyond his humble beginnings as a carpenter, the son of Mary, and instead of opening themselves to reality, they are scandalized.” Further, His Holiness added, “In their minds, God is too great to lower Himself to speak through such a simple man. This is the scandal of the incarnation: the disconcerting event of God made flesh, who thinks with a human mind, works and acts with human hands, loves with the heart of man; a God who toils, eats, and sleeps like one of us.”
His Holiness Pope Francis concluded his homily by reminding that “Prejudices can keep us from grasping reality. But today the Lord invites us to assume an attitude of humble listening and docile expectation because God’s grace often presents itself to us in surprising ways that do not correspond to our expectations. God does not conform to prejudices. Faith is needed to welcome the divine reality that comes to meet us.”
