Jesus Moves On And 'Up'

Jesus went to Nazareth, His hometown, and tried to teach at the temple there. People who heard Him couldn't believe it. "Isn't He just a carpenter?" they said. "We know His family; He's nobody special." Jesus was sad that they didn't have faith in Him, so instead of doing any miracles, He left town.

A new movie called "Up" explores what happens when an old man decides to leave town in an unusual way: by tying a giant bunch of balloons to his house and floating to South America. 

It's not spoiling the movie to say that he discovers he can't escape the problems that made him want to run away - and that he also learns he takes his gifts and talents with him.

Jesus would probably be cheering right along with the audience for "Up." In this week's Gospel (Mark 6:1-6), He does just what the movie's main character does!

In the movie "Up," the old man feels that he's lost everything he cares about. He's sad and lonely, and no one is recognizing his gifts. It's easy to imagine Jesus feeling like that in the Gospel story; He goes to the temple in His town to teach, but people are so distracted by thinking about His past, they don't pay attention.

Like the man in "Up," Jesus leaves town - and with Him go everyone's chances at learning about God and experiencing miracles. Jesus goes where He's more appreciated.

Most movies have happy endings, and "Up" is one of them. Of course, this week's Gospel ends well, too: Jesus finds people who will really listen to His teachings and benefit from His healing.

If there are people you haven't been paying much attention to lately, maybe it's time to change. You wouldn't want to decide it's time to appreciate them just as they're floating away!

(07/02/09)