http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032414.cfm
In
today’s Gospel, Jesus proclaims that “no prophet is accepted in his own native
place.” Imagine how a prophet feels rejected by his own people. Even more so
since he lived in community with them and sincerely believed that his message
was worth sharing. Indeed, rejection hurts the body and soul. Now imagine we
are this prophet’s reluctant audience who selfishly prefers to hear what we want to hear, not what we need to hear. Finally, imagine the true
prophet Jesus who was rejected and crucified by those He deeply loved. Rather
than reject His detractors, Jesus teaches us a lesson that is difficult to
embrace – the message of accepting, loving, and forgiving – once we rise above
the self-absorbed rubble that is ourselves.
The
ancient philosopher Socrates taught there are three types of people. The ignorant person does not know he does
not know. The arrogant person does
not know but thinks he knows. The wise
person knows he does not know everything. He is wise because he possesses
humility – an openness to listen and recognize that no one, including himself,
has a monopoly on knowledge. For the Christian, this humility is expressed in acceptance, love, and forgiveness. Think about it. To
forgive someone is to love her even more since we consider her worthy of
reconciliation again and again. And let us not forget to forgive ourselves, for
Jesus teaches that we are that worthy person, too.
Recall
the prayer of St. Leo the Great (one that Sr. Monica Kevin shares in her
Fordham Christmas cards): “For unless, in humility, He had come down to us,
none of us, by our own merits, could ever go up to Him.” Amen to that.
Freshman Dean, FCRH
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