Gather and See

The texts today from the Roman Catholic Lectionary bring us to consider the interplay between our ‘normal’ lives working and attending to family and the days we set aside for family gatherings, community events and religious festivals. The passage from the Book of Leviticus details the times of the prescribed festivals to be celebrated by the Israelites. FriarJude Winkler discusses the origins of these special days and we understand that many are rooted in agricultural feasts. The relationship of Providence and thanksgiving to daily life is very clear to agricultural people. The historical events of the Passover of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt to freedom changed the celebration to one which commemorates this mighty action of God. The Gospel from Matthew recounts Jesus visit to His home in Nazareth. Gathering with family in our home community is an event which brings both joy and challenge. Some commentators suggest that Jesus may have been absent from Nazareth for some time and like our experience after a long time we are remembered as if we are still living as we were years ago. Changes to our attitudes, disposition and life style are not immediately noticed or sometimes even welcomed. People are more comfortable when the people who gather for social or religious feasts are as predictable as the ‘liturgy’ of the visit or the feast prescribes. Jesus notes that the Good News that He brings is ignored. The people see the son of the carpenter (a job, at the time, for families who had lost agricultural land) and they group Him as one of the family they have categorized and understand. Friar Jude concludes his comments today with the caution that we might be missing the good in those around us with whom we do not take the time to explore their real persons.