There is a quiet tragedy in today’s Gospel.
- Not hatred.
- Not persecution.
- Not violence.
Just… familiarity. The kind that says:
- “We already know him.”
- “Nothing special.”
- “Just one of us.”
And because of that…They miss God. Thus, the bottom line of our reflection this morning: "Familiarity Blinds the Heart, " stems from the Gospel pericope and an extract from the trial and agony of King David as contained in the first reading.
Sometimes, the greatest obstacle to grace is not sin but over-familiarity. In today's parlance, we felt "we don see God finish". This is absolutely untrue as God dwells in mystery. His essence cannot be fathomed by human intellect or caprice.
Obviously, the very day we come to know God in His entirety that same day God will ccease o become God, but since it is impossible to know Him in His essence apart from His attributes, then God remains God in aertenum (eternity).
This vice "contempt" which is the product of over-familiarity can aalsobe seen in the first reading of today, where David out of pride isolated himself from God, he felt it was all about hphysicalpower, and he exhibited high self-trust independent of God. There and then, before his very eyes his men were bowed down (cf. 2 Samuel 24:2, 9–17). Here we see pride of number, power in humans above God, when He (David) orders a census. It sounds harmless. But spiritually, it reveals something deeper. Instead of trusting God’s protection, David wants numbers, control, and security. And Scripture tells us: his heart was troubled. Because reliance shifted from God, to self.
How often we do the same? We count: achievements, savings, plans, influence, and quietly forget that: God is our true strength. Above all, the beauty comes after the fall. That is why David did not hide. He says simply: “I have sinned greatly.” That sentence saves him.
It is on this note that, the Church constantly teaches that repentance restores communion. Confession is not humiliation but a healing (cf. CCC 1422–1424).
Today's Gospel pericope which is at the centre of reflection presents before us a deeper teaching, which we reflected on in the introduction (cf. Mark 6:1–6)
This Gospel story in Nazareth teaches us something uncomfortable: It is possible to be:
- near Jesus
- around holy things
- active in religious life, and still miss Him. Because we become used to Him.
- For routine replaces wonder.
- Habit replaces faith. We say: “I already know this.”
Meanwhile, God stands before us.
Unrecognized.
Finally, let faith directs our path but not over-familiarity, and let trust in God surmount our pride and power. For it is "GOD" or "Nothing".
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