In both of our readings today, we see and hear that prophets get rejected. In Jeremiah 26, our first reading, we see Jeremiah saying everything that God tells him to say. The people’s response? “You must be put to death!” Gee, that’ll make you want to open your mouth next time, won’t it? Then in the Gospel reading, the people from Jesus’ native place brush him off, reject him, because they “know” him.
Jesus says, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” Why is that? I’m sure you’ve heard the old axiom “Familiarity breeds contempt.” Perhaps that saying is something of a definition of these words of Jesus. The people knew where he was from, knew his family. How could he possibly be anyone special?
Rejection is probably one of the greatest of human fears. We all want to be loved, known and accepted. This is one of the reasons why most people fail at sales - the fear of rejection. And rejection is particularly egregious when it comes from those close to us. That's why our love of truth must be greater than our fear of rejection.
Father, we know that we will be rejected by some when we speak your truth. Give us the courage to speak truth anyway. Amen.
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“To speak the truth, you must know the truth.”
AMEN!!
There are many opinions, but one Truth.