REJECTION

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily for this 4^th  Sunday in  Ordinary  Time [C] is, “Rejection.”

I read over the readings and then ask, “What theme - what thought - is in these readings.

Sometimes I use the Bible text of Samuel, “Speak Lord, your servant is listening.”

The theme of rejection hit me - especially from today’s first reading - which has comments about Jeremiah who was called by God and ends up being rejected by the people. Next - more specifically in today’s gospel - which Jesus is rejected early on.

EXPECT REJECTIONS

If you run for office, expect rejections.

If you root for a team and wear their jersey or T-shirt, expect rejections.

If you write a letter to the editor of a newspaper, expect rejections.

If you write a novel - and don’t self publish, expect rejections.

If you wear a wedding dress, expect someone not to like it.

If you tell a joke, expect a boo, a thumbs down, or a rejection.

JEREMIAH AND JESUS ARE REJECTED

So both Jeremiah and Jesus are rejected.

In chapter 38 of Jeremiah we have the story about his being arrested and thrown down into a muddy cistern. His words and his message is rejected.

In today’s gospel the mob grabs and pulls Jesus so as to throw him off a cliff at the end of their town. Somehow his time has not come yet.

But Luke is telling us - as well as  the Old Testament - they are telling us that prophets tend to be rejected.

Just pick up any copy of the Washington Post or the New York Times or Time magazine and go through it - and you’ll find a report about some speaker out on justice and fairness and the rights of people being arrested and possibly killed somewhere around the world.

Speak out against abortion or gay rights and upset happens in the hearts and minds and pews.

Upset happens.

Rejections happen.

PRACTICE - PRACTICE - PRACTICE

As we go through life we get   various opportunities and occasions to practice how to deal with rejections.

I never dated. I always wanted to be a priest  - so I missed out on that opportunity of learning how to deal with rejections.

Classrooms, sports fields, every day situations give us plenty of opportunities to learn how to deal with rejections.

Living with priests - some of us having hearing loss - gives plenty of opportunities to learn how to deal with rejection.

The yawn is a dead give away.

I am in the midst of telling what I think is a great story - and surprise the other person yawns.

Or my story reminds them of a great story  they have to tell - and surprise they cut me off every time  and tell their story.

WHAT TO DO?

Today’s second reading from First Corinthians talks about love - in very practical terms.

It’s more than an emotion and a Valentine’s Card.

It’s patience. It’s not being jealous. It’s not being filled with self. It’s not being rude. It’s not being self inflated. It’s listening. It’s loving the other person.

It’s not brooding and being angry with those who are filled with themselves or happy when they are cut off or make a mistake.

It’s having confidence and courage like Jeremiah in today’s firs reading. He doesn’t allow himself to be crushed - when cut off or being rejected.

What to do?

 One thing I learned to do and it works is speaking up for the person who has been cut off.  I have noticed that I can calmly say - when the cutter offer takes a breath - “Wait a minute. Joe you didn’t finish your story. What happened?”

I’ve noticed that another appreciates that.  He or she appreciates acceptance and recognition and being heard. He or she feels someone knows I exist.

CONCLUSION

I remember hearing a sermon once about today’s second reading. The preacher said, “Everyone, it seems, chooses this reading from 1^st Corinthians for their marriage ceremony. If only they put it into practice in their marriage.”

Plenty of “I love you’s” help.

But plenty of listening and patience, avoiding rudeness as in tiny rejections [like not praising the meat loaf or the homemade bread] these are the stuff of love and making marriages and daily living work nicely.

Or as someone said: The glances over cocktails that seemed so sweet - don’t seem so sweet over shredded wheat.”

When they do, you’ll be getting a signal, things are sweet. - things are going well.