By Francis Gayang csc –
Readings: Acts 11:19-26; Jn 10:22-30
Jesus, the controversial man, experienced the rejection of the world, since his birth. Herod feared losing his position and wanted to kill Jesus as soon as the news spread about his birth. As Jesus grew up many listened to his wisdom and glorified God. On the other hand, an equal number of people also rejected Jesus for challenging their life too much.
In today’s gospel passage a very hurting rejection was from his own people. They pretended as if they genuinely wanted to listen from his mouth about who he is. But their intention was to find fault and condemn him by his very words.
Today too we see a lot of rejection in various forms. The poor and people with fewer resources are the targets of selfish people. Just because of their social status the poor are the victims of new threats in the political game of a few selfish politicians. The gospel is our comfort. Jesus said that if the world rejected him it will also reject us all, for we belong to him. Let us ask for wisdom to gain enough strength to face rejection in our lives and cast all our care upon the rejected Christ with faith and hope in his innocent sacrifice.