Lv. 23:1, 4-11, 15-16, 27, 34-37 | Ps. 81:3–6, 10-11| Mt. 13:54-58

Leviticus records all the feasts which God tells the Israelites they are to celebrate. This book tells them what the feast is to commemorate, how to celebrate, and how long.  God asks that the people refrain from all their work on this day.

Jesus goes to Nazareth and begins to teach in the synagogue.  The people are astounded by this as they find that Jesus is rather good.  However, they cannot accept Him because He is a native of Nazareth, and they know Him too well.  They know who His parents are, what their occupations are, who their relatives are.  So the people question the teachings of Jesus.  Isn’t this the same difficulty we find today?    Aren’t we more willing to listen to and accept something that is told to us by a complete stranger more than by a member of our own family, church, neighborhood?  The Gospel tells us that Jesus was unable to work many miracles in Nazareth because of the lack of faith of the people.

Are there people in your life that you don’t want to listen to because you know them too well?  Perhaps there are some wonderful things you could learn from them if you were to be open to them.  Reflect on the Gospel.  Where is God calling you to open yourself to them?