Readings
I - Jer. 1: 4-5, 17-19
II - 1Cor. 12: 31-13:13
III - Lk.4:21-30
ACCEPT ALL AND REJECT NONE
In the Gospel according to St. John we read, “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him” (Jn. 1:11). Today’s Gospel passage is about suspicion and reluctance of people in accepting Jesus as the promised one - the chosen race trying to reject their own Messiah from their point of view. It was because he was merely a carpenter’s son. Jesus concludes quoting the two incidents: one, Prophet Elijah was sent to the widow in Zarephath and two, the healing of Naaman by Prophet Elisha, saying, “no prophet is acceptable in his home town”.
Truth is beyond human mindset, computation and calculation. Only a broad mind and an open heart are prone to behold the truth without much criticism. We too like those people of Israel try to avoid and eliminate people in the name of family background, caste, creed, power, prestige, popularity and fame. As we have heard in the first reading God knows, consecrates and appoints everyone even before we were born, then, who are we to reject anyone on account of anything from their background? If we are habituated in analysing all these we will be missing the messiah as he comes to meet us every day and in every event. Go beyond to accept all without any prejudice. This is possible only to those who can love all as we heard in the second reading. Because in love there is no prejudice or boastfulness. Let us in a special way pray to the Lord to fill our hearts with love so that it might be possible to accept others without any prejudice and criticism. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer: “Lord Jesus, fill my heart with your love”.
