Fourteenth
Sunday in Ordinary Time
Ez 2: 2-5/ Ps 123/ 2 Cor 12:7-10/ Mk 6: 1-6
Rejection.
It’s a never easy to accept reality. Yet it happens every once in awhile in our
lives. Some of us are rejected because of our different backgrounds. Get ready
to be rejected if you cannot distinguish “faith” and “feet” or “Matthew” and “macho.”
Some of us are rejected because of our long held principles in life. I just can’t
imagine how many bashers the Governor of Texas have right now after speaking
against same sex marriage. And some of us are rejected simply because of our
face value. Kaya nga tama si Andrew E sa
kanyang advice, “Kung gusto mong lumigaya ang iyong buhay, Humanap ka ng pangit
at ibigin mong tunay.” Rejection. It’s a never easy to accept reality.
Such is
the experience of Jesus in our Gospel today. After ministering to the needs of the
people, feeding them, and performing miracles, he went back to his own town.
However, instead of being appreciated and admired, people took offense at him.
Yet, it is important to note that despite being rejected, Jesus cured a few
sick people through his laying on of hands. Rejection did not stop Jesus from
his ministry and mission. He continued doing about good. He continued showing God’s
face of mercy.
As
Christians, we are also called to become like Jesus. We are called to be
prophets and witnesses of God’s mercy in our world today. Why? Pope Francis in Misericordiae Vultus tells us that “without
a witness to mercy, life becomes fruitless and sterile, as if sequestered in a
barren desert. (MV 10)” When we stand up for Christ, rejection becomes
inevitable. Not all will accept God’s mercy which is for all. Yet, like Jesus
who continued to heal the sick, we must also continue our being “missionaries and prophets
of God’s mercy.”
Our
first reading today reminds us that being a prophet of God’s mercy in our
modern world is not an easy vocation. God warns Ezekiel that he will be sent to
a nation who are “rebels who have rebelled against me; they and their ancestors
have revolted against me to this very day. Hard of face and obstinate of heart are
they to whom I am sending you.” We know for a fact that being a Christian today
does not assure us of a walk in the park. The recent terror attacks of ISIS and
Boko Haram groups; the straight to the face mockeries of pro same sex marriage
groups in the US to the Catholic faith; and the never ending criticisms against
the principles of the Church are the proofs that we are sent in the midst of people
whose hearts for God have become hardened. Nevertheless, the call remains to be
there for you and me.
Thus,
in our second reading today, Paul is teaching us one virtue that can make us
persevere in our mission amidst the difficulty – “I will rather boast most
gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.” We need to be humble so that the power of
Christ will dwell in us. We need to empty ourselves so that Christ will fill
us. Only when Christ lives in us can we become effective prophets and witnesses
of God’s mercy.
Have
you experienced rejection? As a Catholic Christian, have you experienced
rejection because of choosing Christ rather than the world? If no, then wake up
from sleep! If yes, do not be afraid! Continue with your mission and follow our
responsorial psalm today… let us fix our eyes intently on the Lord and plead
for his mercy. Amen!
NB Photo taken from https://tillchrist.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/jeffwatkinsjrejectedatnazoil.jpg
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