Wednesday January 31st: But ent we know dem?

“And he could work no miracle there, except that he cured a few sick people by laying his hands on them.”

Mark 6:1-6

Think about what we miss out when we box people in and decry their efforts because we know them, their roots and their humble beginnings. Today’s gospel passage highlights the fact that we often confuse the messenger and the message. It is ironical that hearing Jesus teach, most marveled at his wisdom, and were in awe of his miracles, yet they rejected him.
I remember a colleague refusing to attend a seminar, making a blasé comment about the presenter, “O, I know him. What he could teach me?” I imagine a big name coming from outside with credentials and letters behind it would have elicited a different response. However, as it turned out, it was an enlightening, dynamic session with new perspectives on the topic presented.
Today I cherish the pearls of wisdom coming from my grandmother who never made it beyond standard five, the deep philosophy coming from the men by the shop and fellas on the block. And, as Fr Michel used to say, the high-level theology from hometown folks who never went to Seminary!