A God Up Close and Personal.

Today, when we hear Leviticus and the psalm, we’re ready to get our happy on, to wave Hildegard of Bingen’s banner: “Be not lax in celebrating. Be not lazy in the festive service of God.” Break out the lyres, harps, trumpets, and timbrels!

Then, the pivot. Is Jesus dumping a bucket of cold water on the merriment? Or underlining a stunning truth worth celebrating?

He comes to his “native place” where he should feel at home. Like the theme song from Cheers, everyone should know his name. But that’s the problem. Because natives knew the raggedy kid with the runny nose, they can’t accept the brilliant adult.

From Jesus’ standpoint, how must it feel when those who are closest “take offense” at his teaching, which uplifted and enlightened others? He is, understandably, hurt. He is—Hooray!—human like us.

It’s achingly familiar. How often family and neighbors offer the toughest arena, where we can grow territorial and defensive. (Don’t believe it? Watch siblings battle over the “toy du jour” or two neighbors debate who’ll pay to remove the diseased tree on the property line.) Family conflicts can wound sharply, and family dramas affect us for years. Why? Because it’s so important. Because we want so badly for family to nurture. Because no one else is as central. In mundane activities at home, we contribute the one drop without which, as Mother Teresa said, the ocean is incomplete.

Jesus understood that dynamic because he lived it. Such intimacy with our lot should be heralded with the brassiest trumpet.

Kathy Coffey. Taken from Give Us This Day.

Kathy Coffey is an award-winning writer, mother of four, and speaker who gives workshops and retreats nationally and internationally. Her most recent book is When the Saints Came Marching In. For more information, see her website: kathyjcoffey.com.