GOD  KNOWS  REJECTION

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this last day of 2018 is, “God knows rejection.”

I never heard it put that way - but God knows rejection.

At least that’s what we hear in today’s readings.

In the first reading from 1 John we hear about anti-Christs as well as not being approved - that is, being rejected.

In today’s gospel we have a summary of the whole gospel of John. We hear a key message that Jesus came to his own,  but his own received him not.

What was that like: to be rejected by one’s own people?

REJECTION FROM EACH OTHER

If there is a book out there: Life for Dummies - it has to have a chapter on rejection.

To be human is to be rejected at times. To learn how to deal with rejections is a good skill to have.

The first born kid experiences approval - especially if he’s a boy. Everyone loves the sight and the gift of a new born baby. So there is amazement, wonder, appreciation, and photos -  lots of photos - probably more than in the past with cell phones.

Not too much rejection yet….

Then surprise - in time - he or she finds out mom and dad are pregnant with number 2. He or she was king or queen up to then. They were the only child. Then with glimpses of possible rejection or another moving in on our approval ratings, a little person might let out their first “Uh oh!” or “Oh no!”

Kids go to school  and learn a lot - and they experience lots of things - and probably perceptions of rejection from teachers and other kids.

So growing up includes lots of learning experiences  from family - from the playground - from school - from sharing. One experiences  recognition as well as rejection.

I played baseball for the Bay Ridge Robins. I was in grammar school.  My oldest brother played first base for the older Bay Ridge Robins. I made the team - but only got on the field for one out for the whole season.  The manager played his younger brother instead of me.

It was only up from there.

Teens  experience rejection from elders, friends, girl-friend - boy-friend stuff.

So most people discover what they are good in and what they lack skill in - while at school, sports, clubs, college, jobs,  relationships.

There is a tendency in a lot of us to focus on the negative - the rejections more than the acceptance slips.

So we learn acceptance and rejection - approval and rejection - from teachers, from other associates, from strangers - all from those we meet on the different circuits of life.

SO  TOO GOD

God gets rejected by lots of people in lots of situations  - yawns, distractions, what have you.

Does God say to lots of people, “Thanks a lot for lots of yawns and rejections and distractions? I get it.”

If we are visible and we experience rejection - how much more - the invisible God?

CONCLUSION: THE GOOD NEWS

John in today’s gospel says for those who accept Jesus - accept God -  we get - the power to become the children of God.

It’s the same with others.  If we accept others, expect blessings.  If we shut up and listen to others - we discover it’s  wonderful when we experience the after effects of honoring -  respecting - another in our life. So too God. Amen.