“A prophet is respected everywhere except in his home town and by his own family.” (Mt 13:57)

“A prophet is respected everywhere except in his home town and by his own family.” (Mt 13:57)

Today’s Passages: Mt 13:54-58; Col 3:14-15, 17, 23-24

Meditation: Today’s meditation verse can be understood from different perspectives. Some may say that it serves as warning or counsel for today’s preachers; others say that it manifests Jesus’ desperation regarding his mission in his home town; still few say that it reveals Jesus’ condemnation against his home town. Regarding the last two opinions, there are some reservations for the words following do not support them.

The first one could be interpreted in the way that St. Paul puts before us, “Christ’s message in all its richness must live in your hearts.” (Col 3:17) In other words, we have to keep always the word of God in our hearts and minds and be prepared to proclaim the word of God in every situation. See the words of St. Paul through which he admonishes Timothy, “I solemnly urge you to preach the word of God, to insist upon proclaiming it whether time is right or not.” (2Tim 4:2)

The second reading says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as though you were working for the Lord and not for men.” (Col 3:23) Therefore, it is not that we are rejected or not, rather whatever we have done was for the glory of God. Even in our rejections let us not be dejected but assert like St. Paul, “I want you to know my brothers that the things that have happened to me have really helped the progress of the gospel.” (Phil 1:12)

Because, “we know that in all things God works for good with those who love, those whom he has called according to his purpose. Those whom God had already chosen he also set apart to become like his Son, so that the Son would be the first among many brothers.” (Rom 8:28-29) Further Paul says, “Who then can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship, or persecution, or hunger, or poverty, or danger, or death?” (Rom 8:35)This is also true of St. Joseph whose feast we celebrate today. He was the man who walked in the path of the Lord amidst sufferings and agonies and was justified.

        

Though he could not do anymore miracles there because of their unbelief, Jesus did not condemn them. “For, he did not come to condemn the world rather to save it.” (Jn 12:20) If lose the blessings from God we have to review ourselves and come to real faith. “This is how judgment works: the light has come into the world, but the people love the darkness than the light, because their deeds are evil.” (Jn 3:19) Let us be more concerned about our duties as his faithful servant than the unbelief or the rejection of the people of Nazareth.

          

 Prayer: Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread. Lord, give us the courage and readiness to preach the message of your kingdom even in the midst of difficulties, do good to others and thereby become your faithful servants. This proclamation of the gospel and doing good to others may never be affected by the rejection we face in our lives. We ask for this grace through Christ our Lord. Amen!

Greetings: God is with you! Wish you a blessed and fruitful Easter Friday!