Holy Prophet Zachariah and Elisabeth, Parents of John the Baptist.
Galatians 2:21-3:7; Mark 6:1-7.
Read Mark 6:1-7
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Today’s gospel presents us with a challenge, in the verse that describes how Jesus could not work miracles in his hometown. The classic response to this dilemma, both from modern scholars, and from the church fathers, is to point the lack of faith of the people of Nazareth. It is because they do not show faith in Jesus That he does not work miracles in their midst
However, the story does not end there. The last verse in the gospel describes how Jesus gives his disciples authority over the unclean spirits. It seems that his apparent lack of power over demons in Nazareth is resolved when he shares his authority with his disciples. Jesus’s response to unbelief is to find those who do believe, however imperfectly, and share his power and grace and mercy with them. He continues his work of mercy through the disciples. The question we might ask ourselves today is whether we are allowing him to continue his work of mercy through us, especially towards those with a lack of faith.