MARY, OUR MOTHER

SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY #126

And going out from thence, he went into his own country; and his disciples followed him. And when the Sabbath was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were in admiration at his doctrine, saying: "How came this man by all these things? and what wisdom is this that is given to him, and such mighty works as are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joseph, and Jude, and Simon? are not also his sisters here with us?" And they were scandalized in regard of him. And Jesus said to them: "A prophet is not without honour, 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. And he wondered because of their unbelief, and he went through the villages round about teaching. (Mark 6:1-6)

CAUSES OF UNBELIEF: The Nazarenes had heard of the great miracle which Jesus had worked close to them at Cana. They had also been to Jerusalem for the Pasch and had witnessed the miracles He worked there; and now He came to them and revealed Himself to be the Messiah. Still they did not believe in Him, but tried to kill him. What was the cause of their unbelief? Firstly, their carnal-mindedness. They expected an earthly Messiah, who would be a great prince, and would drive away the Romans and make Israel great in the eyes of the world. The lowliness and poverty of Jesus, therefore, offended them. They wanted their Redeemer to bring them great worldly advantages; they did not care for truth, grace and salvation. Secondly, they despised Jesus, because they had known Him from His childhood; for, as a rule, men do not respect those with whom they are very familiar. Thirdly, a feeling of envy probably arose in them: "Is this man, who is poorer than any of us, to be greater than we are!" The same causes, antipathy to the supernatural, pride, etc., are in the present time at the root of much unbelief.

[From 'A Practical Commentary on Holy Scripture' by Bishop Knecht, D.D.]
(1899 Douay-Rheims Bible)