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Gospel Reading for May 01, 2025 – Matthew 13: 54–58
CRAB MENTALITY
Memorial of St. Joseph the Worker
He came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.
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His townspeople could have benefited from the wisdom and mighty deeds of Jesus had they not considered his family background as prerequisite to being open to him.
Sometimes, we miss a lot of opportunities to learn and grow from experiencing others, and from their experiences because of FOOLISH DISCRIMINATION. Jesus’ wisdom and mighty deeds was so popular in other places, that you’d expect his townspeople to be proud of him. But alas, it must have been a case of CRAB MENTALITY which is also very common to us Filipinos.
We have to acknowledge that all of us are given gifts. They are given by God, therefore, not really ours. They are given so we may do our share in the building of his Kingdom here on earth. Therefore, when we see other people having what we do not have, or doing better than us, instead of being threatened, the best thing to do is collaborate with them making us learn a thing or two and at the same time be able to synergize for God’s greater glory!
St. Joseph, whose memorial we celebrate today, did his part as foster father of Jesus. He provided for the necessities of Jesus and Mary with his craft as a carpenter. In the eyes of God, diplomas, certificates, awards, etc. are not as important as the LOVE we give with the things we do each day.
St. Joseph, pray for us!
