Friday of the Seventeenth Week in Ordinary Time

Taking the Gospel to Prayer

Logic would tell us that the people closest to Jesus - those who knew Him longest - would be His staunchest supporters. But we are reminded today that this was not the case. Instead of being a "Hometown Hero", His neighbors leveraged their familiarity with Him to spread doubt. He could not work many miracles among them because of their lack of faith. It wasn't because He was incapable but because they refused to believe.

We have often asked the Lord to remove the roadblocks to our discipleship, but that is a tough prayer when the block is a close family member or friend. Yet, we are called to move forward in our faith development. So let us pray today for a change of heart for the doubters and non-believers who obstruct our progress. Also, we pray for the grace to value the good in those who surround us without compromising our own faith when we face things that divide us.

Lord Jesus, help me to grow closer to You today.