Friday of 17th Week, Year II: reflection

Theme: How to face rejection with prophetic courage and optimism: lesson from Jeremiah and Jesus.

Reading: 13:54–58

How do you react when people reject or maltreat you for telling them the truth or due to your social background?

The two readings of today’s Mass highlight two of the many kinds of rejection that people face, as well as their causes. They also instruct us on what to do when we face rejections from people.

The first instance, in the first reading, was Jeremiah, who was rejected and molested by his people for telling them the truth about their lives. They would have applauded him if he had disguised the truth, smoothened it or even told them lies that consolidated their lifestyle.

Many people dislike hearing the truth about themselves, especially when they are in the wrong. Some people, especially politicians, will pay to be fed with lies, and they are willing to manhandle whoever tells them the truth.

Have you been rejected, accused, or molested just because you said the truth to people or about a situation? Are you thinking of quitting or have you already quit saying the truth because of rejection? The prophet Jeremiah encourages you to push on so that evil will not triumph over the good, so that lies will not prevail over truth.

The second instance is seen in the rejection of Jesus simply because of his family background in today’s gospel. The people acknowledged his wisdom and were amazed by it, but they refused to accept or appreciate him because they knew his family. This is the type of rejection that is widespread in our world. On daily basis, people face rejections in different sectors because of race, tribe, religion, colour, gender or political party, despite their obvious intellectual qualifications.

However, Jesus’ reaction to his rejection by his homeland teaches us not to throw in the towel when we face this kind of rejection. It should rather inspire us to go beyond our limits in order to keep surprising those who rejected us.

The final lesson of the day is to examine our own life to see if we are also guilty of neglecting, belittling, and rejecting others despite their qualifications. Let us challenge ourselves to stop such attitudes because they set us against God; they push us to reject the source of goodness in others, which is God.

May God give us the grace to acknowledge and appreciate what is good this Friday. Amen

Fr Isaac C. Chima