“He was not able to perform miracles there, except that he placed his hands on a few sick people and healed them.” (Mk 6:5)

“He was not able to perform miracles there, except that he placed his hands on a few sick people and healed them.” (Mk 6:5)

Today’s Passages: Mk 6:1-6; Heb 12:4-7, 11-15

Meditation: Today’s meditation verse really brings to our mind the need for a serious review of our faith life. Sometimes, we do complaint against God, together with the psalmist, for his turning away of his face from us or for his closing of his ears against our prayers: “How long, Lord? Will you utterly forget me? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I carry sorrow in my soul, grief in my heart day after day? How long will my enemy triumph over me? (Ps 13:1-3)

Though we are in utter desperate and loneliness, we don’t experience that God is with us. Why is it? One of the reasons for this rejection could be found in today’s meditation verse. It is written, “He was not able to perform any miracle there, except that he placed his hands on a few sick people and healed them.” (Mk 6:5) From the context of the Nazareth synagogue narrative we come to know that it was because of their lack of faith. Jesus expresses it also: “He was greatly surprised, because the people did not have faith.” (Mk 6:6)

We often cry unto Jesus and he is always there in front of our door and life. In the book of revelation we read, “Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into his house and eat with him. And he will eat with me.” (Rev 3:19) However, instead of receiving Jesus, people reject him like the people of Nazareth. Why do you reject him? It is because that you don’t believe in him.

Unless and until you believe in him, how can you receive anything from Jesus? Once you reject God, you also will have the experience of being rejected by God. The letter to the James tells us, “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.” (Js 4:8) Let us also remember the words of Samuel to King Saul, “Because you have rejected the commandment of Lord, he, too, has rejected you as ruler.” (1 Sam 15:23)

It doesn't mean that if I am righteous or if I believe in Jesus, then, I won’t have any problems and sufferings in my life. No, it doesn't mean that. On other hand, both the life of righteous Job and the life Jesus himself disproves it. However, the rejection of Jesus, the redeemer will call for condemnation: “Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” (Jn 3:18) Second reading reminds us of the danger of this rejection:“Guard against turning back from the grace of God.” (Heb 12:15)

                              

Prayer: Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread. Lord, have mercy on us, sinners for all those moments of rejecting you through our words and deeds. Teach us, O Lord, the meaning of your living words to Martha, “Did I not tell you that if you believe you will see the glory of God?” (Jn 11:40) Today, in a special way, we pray for all those who have for some or other reasons rejected you and went astray that they may repent and come back to you. We ask for this grace through Christ our Lord. Amen!

Greetings: God is with you! Wish you a blissful Wednesday!