Jeremiah 26:1-9 / Matthew 13:54-58
Life would be very nice and easy if everybody agrees with us on anything that we say and do, and life would be even nicer and easier still if everybody does what we want and do it our way.
But that would be like an impossible dream.
If ever we can make everybody agree with us or make them do what we want, it will certainly be with threats and the use of force.
Whether others agree with us or not, or do what we want them to do, it is understandable that everyone has their own opinions and ideas.
We cannot force them to agree with us, nor can we force them to do whatever we want them to do.
But when there is a collective majority opposition against us, then it can be quite painful to bear.
Jesus felt this pain when He went back to His hometown, and then after teaching in the synagogue, He faced rejection from His own people.
He would have felt disappointment that even the people of His own hometown rejected Him.
He could have let frustration and resentment eat into Him. But He moved on and He didn't want to let that rejection and criticism affect Him and His mission.
And we can be certain that in life we will face rejection and criticism.
But like Jesus, we must be clear of our motives and purposes.
If we are really doing the will of God, then like Jesus, we will just move on and get along.
After all, the will of God will not bring us to where the grace of God will not accompany us.
Today the Church also honours St. Ignatius of Loyola. He too faced rejection, opposition and criticism in his mission. But he persisted and persevered.
The following is a prayer by St. Ignatius of Loyola. May it also be our prayer as we carry out the will of God:
"Dear Lord teach me to be generous; teach me to serve You as You deserve, to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds, to toil and not to seek for rest, to labor and not to ask for reward, save that of knowing that I do Your will. Amen."