Today we live in a world where everybody has the right to share their opinions, we’re in a generation where fame almost becomes the standard so you can be called successful and it does define your social worth, a generation where in being ignored means you’re not appreciated and you’re a failure.  This is a generation where the approval of many matters.

This Sunday in our gospel Jesus Christ was rejected in His native place, Nazareth.  For some reason the people might be envious of Him because of the wonderful passage He proclaimed, as we all know from our gospel last Sunday, Jesus Christ already received His mission.  Some were amazed while others, while others questioned His identity.

Just like Jesus, many Christians today also experience rejection, conviction and persecution for sharing their faith.  There are times when Christians are  bullied for being ‘truthful’ in this world where goodness can’t be found anywhere.  Some are casted out for ‘doing good deeds’ that others are having a hard time doing.  But in our Gospel today, Jesus reminds us that despite of rejection in Nazareth He still continued His ministry because it’s the Father’s mission to Him and despite of rejection Jesus still obey the Father because He has this faith that God is with Him.  And so to us, we might also experience rejection and persecution but let us not allow this to stop us from spreading the Good News of our salvation for it is what pleases the Father.

Also, the gospel reminds us to always check our faith.  Do we have faith big enough to let God’s healing grace heal and move others?

Let us remember this verse from Galatians, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God?  Or am I trying to please man.?  If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10) and let us always pray to God to give us perseverance as we continue to do things that pleases God.

– – Jovs

Source: Neo Jeremiah Voice of the Young Prophet Newsletter February 3, 2019 issue.