For Jesus himself testified
that a prophet has no honor in his native place.

When I first read the Gospel I thought if Jesus does not expect that the people of Galilee will see Him as credible, how can I possibly expect anyone to ever believe anything that I say – how do we come to know and believe what is true?  I pondered this for some time and was stymied to move on in my reflection.  Questions whirled in my head: what is truth?  Does anyone really tell the whole truth?  Are any truths “self-evident?”  While I consider myself to be a good thinker and love to ponder ideas and generate ideas, this was making my head hurt.  Perhaps the fatigue of the pandemic is taking hold (or rather continuing to be a constant companion), perhaps the unrest and vile hatefulness that seems pervasive is winning this battle, perhaps I am getting jaded about the world and people in general, perhaps forgiveness and trust is old-fashioned and overvalued  . . .   Obviously, my mind was not going to the “right” places (if I still know what those are). 

So, I had to find a way to re-group, get back to “basics,” if you will.  A way to get my head on “straight.”  Instead of being stuck on this first part of the gospel and knowing how many people at that time would soon betray Jesus, I needed to look at what others were also doing at that time.  The faith of the official offers hope and redemption . . .

The royal official said to him,
“Sir, come down before my child dies.”
Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.”
The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.

He believed . . .  how I want to have that faith back and just believe.  Forget all this worldly chaos and angst and just BELIEVE!  This official was such any unlikely person it would seem to seek out Jesus and ask for this miracle.  Yet, the miracle was his reality and fostered in him and his whole household the belief in Jesus. 

I need to remind myself that this world is just a part of this journey – there is so much more that is far more important than the piles of things to do, papers to grades, people to please.  We must remember that beyond what is in front of us every day is the love of Jesus.  That we are loved beyond anything that we deserve or have “earned;” that yes, we have our shortcomings and lots of room for improvement, but we are beloved sinners.

Thus, my prayer for myself – and all of us – to remember: we are beloved, and to ask Jesus and then to believe . . .

Come as You Are – David Crowder