17th Week, Ordinary Time, Friday, August 1, 2025

Reflection on the WORD

“Prejudices – Faith”: In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ townsfolk were awe-filled by His Words

of Wisdom and miracles. However, their prejudices of knowing Him and His parents

distorted their thinking; and they doubted and rejected Him. Ponder on, “How often do we

find ourselves lacking in our faith, hope and love for Jesus because of our prejudices?”

Matthew 13:54-58

Coming to his home town, Jesus taught the people in their synagogue in such a way that they were astonished and said, ‘Where did the man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? This is the carpenter's son, surely? Is not his mother the woman called Mary, and his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Jude? His sisters, too, are they not all here with us? So where did the man get it all?’ 

And they would not accept him. But Jesus said to them, ‘A prophet is despised only in his own country and in his own house,’ and he did not work many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Today's Pointers on God's Word

As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?

  • Jesus did not only perform “Miracles” during His public ministry; He also continues to do so daily and in all situations because He wants all people to believe in Him and be saved.
  • If we have a deep faith in the Lord, we will be able to “see” and experience these “miracles” daily.  Is it not “miraculous” that we are still alive and not dead today, because of God’s protection and mercy? 
  • Challenge yourself to deepen your relationship with the Lord e.g. pray more fervently and constantly. You will begin to experience the countless miracles that the Lord is doing for you.