Leading up to Holy Week, our Gospel readings for daily Mass are taken from the Gospel of John. Where each of the other evangelists record many miracles, John chooses only seven to record in his Gospel: the miracle at the wedding of cana, the healing of the royal official’s son, the healing of the paralytic, the feeding of the five thousand, the walking on water, the healing of the man born blind, and the raising of Lazarus.
John carefully records people’s reactions to Jesus’ miracles, as well. Some are amazed by Jesus, some come to believe that he truly is the Son of God, some are initially impressed with his miracles, but then fail to make that leap of faith or walk away because his subsequent teachings are unappealing or deemed too difficult.
Today’s Gospel begins with Jesus himself testifying how the people of his hometown for the most part rejected him. The rejection of Jesus is a great tragedy. For the Lord explains, “I came, so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” In rejecting Jesus, they are rejecting life, eternal life.
After his rejection in Nazareth, St. John tells us that the Lord traveled to Galilee and healed the royal officials son. Instead of rejecting him, the royal official and his whole household make that leap of faith.
Jesus was met with both rejection and acceptance—unbelief and belief. So too will we. We mustn’t become too disheartened when our efforts are met with coldness and unbelief. We’re in it for the long haul, as long as God deems it. Jesus himself, the Word made flesh, was rejected in his ministry. And he could read hearts. He spoke with the clearest understanding of the truth men need to hear, and spoke without timidity. He performed miracles and was still rejected.
So when we’re rejected, we who are imperfect instruments in the hands of God, we mustn’t give up on the Gospel mission. We might need to be rejected by a whole town in order to inspire faith in a household. But that household is a seed for the kingdom to grow and flourish. Give me a family on fire with the faith over a lukewarm town any day.
May our Lenten observances help us to persevere and trust God when we face rejection. May we, imperfect instruments in the hands of God, remain faithful to the Gospel mission always, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For an increase in faith for the catechumens and candidates who approach the sacraments of initiation in the coming Paschal Solemnity.
That the Church might be delivered and protected from all spirits of error, heresy, schism, and unbelief.
For strength to resist temptation, and the humility to sincerely repent of sin.
That through fasting and self-denial, we may be ever more conformed to Christ.
That those in need may find assist in the charity of faithful Christians and that peace and security may be firmly established in all places.
For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.
Mercifully hear, O Lord, the prayers of your Church and turn with compassion to the hearts that bow before you, that those you make sharers in your divine mystery may always benefit from your assistance.
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