“A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin in his own house.” – Matthew 13:47
One of my favorite things to do is to take a road trip with friends or family. But I learned long ago that one must choose wisely when deciding upon traveling companions! After all, when you gather together a car full of people with different personalities, different
preferences, and different perspectives – you’re never quite certain what will happen.
Inevitably, there will be those who insist on stopping at a gas station every 20 minutes to use the restroom (like my sisters), or sometimes there are those who insist on playing only their favorite music on the radio and scoff at the wonderful music of the
80’s (like my nieces and nephews), or those who feel the need to talk non-stop or believe it’s their responsibility to read out loud and comment on every billboard (like my brothers). Yes indeed, road trips can be wild and interesting rides – especially with
family members!
Family members are good at keeping us humble. From the moment I get into the car, I am not Fr. Mike the priest, and I am no longer Fr. Mike the pastor. Simply, I am Mike – the middle child in a family of seven – one of the Geiger kids. Yes, when we are in the
company of people we know well, titles and positions aren’t important; such is the case in Matthew 13:47.
In this Gospel passage, Jesus is teaching in His hometown, a place where He was familiar to the people. The community knew Him – He was one of them. When Jesus begins to preach, they begin to take offense. Who is He to tell us what is right or
wrong? Isn’t this the son of Mary and Joseph who grew up just down the road? What makes Him so special? Suddenly now He’s a prophet?!
And herein is a question for our reflection: what does it mean to be a prophet? To be a prophet is to speak with courage and to name the truth – without fear of rejection. When prophets speak the truth, it can challenge us and make us uneasy, because the truth calls us to evaluate our lives, behaviors, and ways of thinking.
From time to time we must stop and ask ourselves, and answer with honesty: Do we receive the message of Christ with an open and receptive heart? Do we allow Jesus to shape our lives or is He a “prophet without honor?” It is a joy and honor to offer these spiritual reflections for you! In all things, may God be praised!
