Monday, March 28, 2011

Read it:

Jesus said to the people in the synagogue at Nazareth:
“Amen, I say to you,
no prophet is accepted in his own native place.
Indeed, I tell you, there were many widows in Israel
in the days of Elijah
when the sky was closed for three and a half years
and a severe famine spread over the entire land.
It was to none of these that Elijah was sent,
but only to a widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon.
Again, there were many lepers in Israel
during the time of Elisha the prophet;
yet not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.”
When the people in the synagogue heard this,
they were all filled with fury.
They rose up, drove him out of the town,
and led him to the brow of the hill
on which their town had been built,
to hurl him down headlong.
But he passed through the midst of them and went away.

Reflect on It:
For today's gospel, I want to specifically focus on the part that says no prophet is accepted in his native land. I think this is important to see when we reflect on our lives. In many ways, ya'll are prophets, bringing the Good News of the gospel to so many people: In your families, with your friends and in your schools. I know that this is often a hard place to be. To be a Christian, much less a Catholic in a world that's so far removed from the truth is tough. Today's gospel gives us the understanding that to be Catholic is to be radical. We are not going to be accepted in our native land. I think that once we accept that Christ calls us to a new life that's lived for him alone, this concept is not nearly as difficult. Sure, we may not be accepted always and we might be rejected, but Christ promises a life lived with him.

Pray about It: Holy Spirit, give me the power to BOLDLY proclaim the Good news today, wherever I am. Let me be fearless in the face of rejection. Walk with me, and help me to be someone who brings the gospels to others today.


Live It! Challenge: When have you been rejected because you stood up for your faith? Today, Spend some time thinking about the friends who are accepting of the fact that you love Jesus.