Rejection: To be rejected is one the most hurtful feeling that we can encounter in life. And the normal reaction of a rejected person is to fight back and hurt the other who rejected us. This is a normal defense mechanism as we want to seek revenge. This is a normal human reaction. This was exactly the reaction of the disciples James and John in the gospel when they uttered such reckless words as to "bid fire come down from heaven and consume" the Samaritans for their denial to receive Jesus in their town.
However, Jesus, in the gospel, teaches us the christian way of dealing with rejection.The christian-like reaction is not to get angry or to seek revenge but by being humble. Jesus has all the right to be angry to the Samaritans for rejecting him, when they should have received the Son of God with open arms. But he did not.
Here we see the difference between being a christian and being just a human being. Today's gospel challenges us to be christian-like in our reactions and behaviors and in living our daily lives. Being a christian is not easy, it takes a lot of inner strength that comes from prayer and contemplation on the life of Jesus. Being a christian means forgetting our human-self and pursuing our spirtual-self geared toward love of God and neighbor.
teresabandal
The Holy Father's Monthly Intentions for the year 2010:
SEPTEMBER 2010
The Word of God as Sign of Social Development
General: That in less developed parts of the world the proclamation of the Word of God may renew people’s hearts, encouraging them to work actively toward authentic social progress.
The End of War
Missionary: That by opening our hearts to love we may put an end to the numerous wars and conflicts which continue to bloody our world.
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