On Jesus being despised in his own country

From  
Meditations on the Life of Our Lord 
by J. Nouet, S.J.


Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost

1st Point. "And Jesus said to them: A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and in his own house, and among his own kindred.  And he could not do any miracles there, only that he cured a few that were sick, laying his hands upon them." (Mark, vi. 4, 5)  Blindness and incredulity were the effects of the envy the Nazarenes bore to Jesus Christ.  The envious man is blind, he imagines that which is not, whilst his eyes are closed to truth.  If the virtues of a brother are applauded in his presence, he maintains a cold silence, or insinuates some suspicion.  These rash judgments proceed from pride.  The envious man would be above all; and not being able to attain this end by other means, he endeavours to raise himself by judging his neighbour — an assumption of superiority.

2nd Point.  Calumny was another effect of the envy of these Jews.  Between vices and virtues there is a certain exterior similarity.  Prodigality assumes the appearance of generosity: hypocrisy wears the semblance of devotion.  Two classes of persons abuse this resemblance, that is, flatterers, and the envious.  The former give the name of virtue to the vices of those from whom they seek advantage; the latter obscure the lustre of virtue by attributing to it the character of vice, in order to destroy the reputation of a brother.  Jesus Christ healed strangers and not the Nazarenes, because grace is given, not to a country, but to the disposition of the suppliants.  The gifts of God are for those who watch and labour for their salvation.

3rd Point. "And all they in the synagogue, hearing these things, were filled with anger.  And they rose up and thrust him out of the city: and they brought him to the brow of the hill, whereon the city was built, that they might cast him down headlong." (Luke, iv. 28, 29)  Injustice, to which they are stimulated by anger and indignation, is a third effect of the envy of the Jews.  This vice extinguishes faith, multiplies calumnies and violates justice.  There is nothing more unjust than envy, because it makes a brother's good the object of hatred:  nothing, at the same time, more just, for it constitutes its own punishment.  Humility and charity are the remedy for this dangerous evil.  Be humble, conceal yourself from the eyes of the world, seek not the favour of men, and you will not repine at their prosperity.  Be charitable, love your neighbour as yourself:  make his happiness your own, and enrich yourself by enjoying his prosperity.