"Rejection” seems to be one word
that summarises, at least partly, the readings of today. Other words are
“perseverance, determination, and commitment.” As soon as Jesus sets out for
Jerusalem where he will be finally rejected, he faces rejection in a Samaritan
town. However, he will not be deterred. His face will be set like flint for
Jerusalem because that is where the will of God will be finally accomplished.
This is all that matters for Jesus: to do God’s will no matter the
consequences. He is determined to see the completion of the task assigned to
him. He is committed till the end. He will persevere.
The response of Jesus to James
and John, who want to call down fire from heaven on the Samaritans, is a double
response. On the one hand, Jesus is not Elijah and so will not call down fire
from heaven like Elijah did. On the other hand, Jesus’ response makes clear
that his mission is not to pull down and destroy but to build up and enhance.
He has come not to condemn but to save.
Though the mission of Jesus is
not to win through domination and subjugation, but rather through unconditional
and continual love, he will demand from his disciples an unconditional
following. As a matter of fact, it is precisely because his way is more challenging
than the way of conquest and invasion that there can be no half hearted or
lukewarm response to his call. Unlike Elisha, who is allowed to go back and say
farewell to his father and mother, Jesus demands radical and total commitment.
This kind of commitment can result in being able to fulfil the task of
discipleship. It is a decision that is not made lightly, but after much
thought, consideration, and contemplation.
Jesus does not use coercion or
force to gain disciples. He only invites. However, even as he invites, he makes
it abundantly clear to those who dare to follow what the consequences will be
of their following. They will have to be as ones who have no security of home
or hearth. They will have to be as ones who have no family to call their own.
They will have to be as ones who are ready to face opposition, hostility, and
conflict. They will be as ones who profess total and complete detachment. This
is the kind of detachment that Elisha shows when he slaughters his oxen and uses
the equipment that comes with them for fuel. Through this act, Elisha, though
allowed to say farewell to his father and mother, demonstrates that he is
prepared for an unconditional following of God through his mentor, Elijah.
The work of the kingdom which
Jesus inaugurated is heavy and demanding work. It requires a persevering
commitment. It is easy to get discouraged and want to give up in the face of
trials and difficulties and what sometimes seem to be insurmountable odds. It
is easy give up in the fact of rejection. It is because of this that Jesus
states, in unambiguous terms, what it entails to follow him. The disciple who
follows will have no place to lay his/her head.
Following Jesus will mean, as
Paul explicates in the second reading of today, the desire to communicate love
and to do it constantly, even in the face of fear and rejection. Love indeed
sums up the whole law. Those who decide
to follow will have to show through both word and deed this love which Jesus
manifested when he was on earth. This means first, living by the spirit and not
by the flesh. This means that any kind of behavior which makes the self more
important than others is unacceptable and not part of the kingdom. This means
that, even in the face of haughtiness, arrogance, pride, and conceit, the
disciple will always respond with modesty, humility, and love.
Like Elijah before him, Jesus
knew that if the work of the kingdom had to be carried on, he had to choose
disciples who would do this. To be sure, the disciples would not be perfect.
They would stumble and fall numerous times and would pick themselves up again
and again. Yet, the work of the kingdom would go on. Even Elijah, who had
experienced God’s providence and power, had his moments of darkness. He had
been blessed with much success, but at the slightest sign of a reversal of
fortune, he was ready to quit. He was quick to blame others for the situation
in which he found himself. On numerous occasions, he felt all alone. Yet, just
as in all these situations he was consoled by God and invited to carry one, so
too will the disciples of Jesus who feel alone be consoled by him. They will
feel the presence of God in Jesus even when they and their message are rejected
and go unheeded. On their part, they must make it their constant endeavour
never to give up, but to carry on with perseverance, determination, and
courage. Rejection of the message of love must not be a hindrance to the
disciples task of spreading this love to everyone they meet. They had been set
free by Christ. Now it is their responsibility to set others free from the
bondage of fear and self centeredness. Now it is their responsibility to free
others for the true freedom of love.
No comments:
Post a Comment
You may use the "Anonymous" option to leave a comment if you do not possess a Google Account. But please leave your name and URL as www.errolsj.com