The Downside of Familiarity

Six years ago, the word “mansplain” was officially added to the dictionary. It is such a common life experience that a word was created to describe it, and I am sure we have all experienced it - to be needlessly or condescendingly told about a topic that the speaker assumes he understands better than you. Having children of my own, I can attest, it is even worse when it is done by your own child. I have watched you grow up, raised you from birth, and you want to tell ME how the world works?

If you have ever felt this way, then surely you can empathize with Jesus’ neighbors in today’s gospel. Jesus acknowledges that “no prophet is accepted in his own native place” (Lk 4:24) and then proceeds to make some bold claims about his role as the Messiah and give his neighborhood a history lesson. Not surprisingly, he was met with skepticism and anger. The saying is true that familiarity breeds contempt. How did this young carpenter have the nerve to make these claims when he came from our neighborhood. We know his parents. We watched him grow up. Surely the messiah will come from somewhere better than Nazareth.

While it is easy to look back and judge the Nazarenes for their short fuses, we have the luxury of knowing the rest of Jesus’ story. Yes, what He says is true, but their reactions seem all too familiar. How often we judge the people around us. We are quick to judge people we don’t even know, but we can be even quicker to tear apart the people that we do. Today’s readings are a good reminder that world-changers are in our midst. Amazing people can come from surprisingly familiar places. And maybe I am overreacting to my child’s mansplaining. 

Author: TJ Howard, Science Department