Reunion and Rejection

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to participate in the gathering of people in faith and to meet a sense of rejection with humility.

Reality and Reunion

The Reading from the Book of Leviticus describes the festivals of the LORD.

Psalm 81 proclaims a pilgrimage feast as the people assemble in the Temple

The Gospel of Matthew presents Jesus' rejection at Nazareth.

David Crawford asks how often do we fail to hear when God speaks through someone we already have devalued because of our own preconceptions about what that individual has to offer?

Don Schwager quotes “Few miracles done because of their unbelief”, by Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)

"It seems to me that the production of miracles is similar in some ways to the case of physical things. Cultivation is not sufficient to produce a harvest of fruits unless the soil, or rather the atmosphere, cooperates to this end. And the atmosphere of itself is not sufficient to produce a harvest without cultivation. The one who providentially orders creation did not design things to spring up from the earth without cultivation. Only in the first instance did he do so when he said, 'Let the earth bring forth vegetation, with the seed sowing according to its kind and according to its likeness' (Genesis 1:11). It is just this way in regard to the production of miracles. The complete work resulting in a healing is not displayed without those being healed exercising faith. Faith, of whatever quality it might be, does not produce a healing without divine power.' (excerpt from the COMMENTARY ON MATTHEW 10.19)

Friar Jude Winkler reflects on the texts of today and the Law concerning the feasts of Israel. Jesus is teaching in the Synagogue and the family of Jesus is present and “prophets are not without honour except in their native place”.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces author Anne Lamott who found comfort in St. Paul’s struggle to accept his own imperfection.

We are imperfect agents of the love, mercy, and compassion of Christ who rely on the Spirit to guide our relationships toward peace, acceptance, and service.