Jesus 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. (Mt 13:54-58)
The brothers and sisters of Jesus—a point of consternation for some folks but not for the gospel. Besides it’s a common put-down: “Who does he think he is?” And then they go after his family by name. Saint Ignatius also faced opposition and ridicule. He used to sit in the Basilica of Santa María del Mar in Barcelona begging alms. The step where he sat in the church is now a shrine to his memory!
