A HERO IS NEVER RECOGNISED AT HOME

HERO’S ARE NEVER AWARDED AT HOME

By Fr. Felix (African Times Guest Writer)

The parables were explained by the

phenomenon that the prophecies had foretold,

that Israel would ‘look and look but never

perceive’, and they are followed by two

passages which show this in action, first the

rejection of Jesus at Nazareth, and then the

rejection of John the Baptist by Herod.

Matthew takes over from Mark the story of

Jesus at Nazareth making only minor changes.

The first is a change which could be described

(especially after v. 52) as scribal: he makes a

neat chiasmus or envelope-structure: own

country – Where? – is not – are not – Where? –

own country.

The centre and main point is formed by the two

incredulous questions about the family of

Jesus.

The second change is theologically more

significant: instead of Mark’s ‘he could do no

work of power there’ Matthew has ‘he did not do

many works of power there’ because of their

lack of faith.

Thus in Matthew the lack of works of power is

Jesus’ own decision because of their lack of

faith, rather than any limitation of his power.

Matthew frequently stresses that faith is a pre-

condition for Jesus’ works of power, and in this

Gospel Jesus often says to those whom he has

healed, ‘Your faith has won this for you’.

Faith is increased by these works, but there

must first be some faith in Jesus on the part of

the person to be healed.

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