Goodness in Times of Rejection

07-04-2021Weekly ReflectionFr. Bing Colasito

In the Gospel last Sunday, Jesus tells us that FAITH opens the door to the power of God’s love and mercy. The key to receiving His power of healing and raising us back to life is faith. Jesus told the woman hemorrhaging for 12 years: your faith has saved you. And to Jairus, whose daughter died before Jesus could reach her, not to fear but have faith. But what can He do if there is so much doubt and the absence of FAITH? The readings this Sunday give us a picture and example of people in their terrible state or condition. He could not perform much healing because of their lack of faith. So, Jesus went to other villages to continue His ministry of healing and teaching. The Lord sends the prophet Ezekiel to the people of Israel to convey His message to them. It’s a difficult task for the prophet because the Israelites are obstinate and rebellious people. The Lord knows their rebellious heart but still did not give up on them. Through Ezekiel, God wants them to hear His words and to bring them back to Him. The people of this time are as rebellious as the people during the time of Ezekiel. Even though we have the Sacred Scriptures to remind us of His Law and Will. Plus, the Church’s mission to make everpresent the teaching of our Lord and God.

The Gospel brings us back to the place where Jesus grew. In Nazareth, everyone knows His kins, knows Joseph and Mary, and the extended family. He is known as a carpenter following the trade of His father. He is the son of Mary; they know his cousins and all the family. Speaking at the Synagogue on a Sabbath, Jesus amazed His listeners by His wisdom, eloquence, power, and by the authority of His teachings. Hearing the many wonderful deeds, He has done in other places, they probably want to see for themselves healing and exorcism. But even just His words were too much for them. They rejected Him not because of what He has done; but because He is too familiar. No way, God works through such an ordinary person. Rather than having faith in Jesus, they allowed their prejudices or biases to reign in their hearts. Because they did not put faith in Jesus, He could not perform miracles there, so He moved to the next village. Do we believe that Jesus could speak to us through ordinary events and people in our life?

There is a saying in my country: When people throw stones at a mango tree, it is because of the fruits. It is sad to admit, but this sometimes applies to human beings as well. Probably true in most cultures. And the reason for throwing stones at us is not necessarily out of envy or bias, some people want everyone to be at the same level, and there are many ways to ensure that no one goes really ahead or stays ahead always. The pulling down, the slowing down, and staining the image of a person is similar to the perennial crab mentality in humans. How sad, yes, there are many deeds men do because of insecurity toward others. But the consolation is: people throw stones at us because we bear much fruit. And if people stab us in the back, it is because we are ahead of them. Jesus visits Nazareth on the Sabbath day, he teaches at the Synagogue, and people were amazed by His wisdom and the power of His words. At first, they accepted His teachings until it dawned on them that He is one of them. Where did he get His wisdom? Where did He get the healing power and the authority to expel evil spirits? How did an ordinary man like them possess such powerful words and deeds? It was too much to absorb and comprehend: familiarity breeds contempt indeed, and they rejected Jesus. But Jesus teaches us to overcome our hurts and pains. Whatever little faith they have, He still did His best for His people and did not give up on them. In the same way, we must not give up on one another.

Rejected by His paisano, Jesus could have turned angry and disgusted, but instead, He understood them and took no offense at them. Jesus today teaches us a powerful example of not going down to the level of our detractors and not playing the ugly game of destroying and condemning. Remember: A truly prayerful person listens to God and speaks goodness at all times.