Reflection
They rose up, drove him out of the town, and led him to the brow of the hill
to hurl him down headlong.
But Jesus passed through the midst of them and went away.
Luke 4:21-30
Jesus’ words turned the people against him. They took offence at him. One of their own was lecturing to them. They all knew his family. Who did he think he was? Their vision extended no further than that.
It is difficult to voice a challenging opinion to what is accepted as the norm. We are afraid of the consequences if we dare to “speak truth to power.” Powerful people want to protect what they consider their prerogatives. They will sometimes go to great lengths to defend them whether they be religious groups or nations. It makes us afraid to speak the truth openly, afraid that our words will offend people who have power to harm the messenger. Bur courage can be born of faith and conviction. We see this in our modern day prophets who speak as Jesus did and are thrown “over the cliff” either literally or by character assassination and exclusion.
Prayer
Give me the courage to speak the truth in love.
Action
Reflect on today’s gospel. Compare it with the present religious and political situation in our country. Why is there such a lack of truthful exchange?
Suggested Reading
They also asked, “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” He said to them, “Surely you will quote me this proverb, ‘Physician, cure yourself,’ and say, ‘Do here in your native place the things that we heard were done in Capernaum.’” And he said, “Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.
Luke 4:21 – 30
Men reject their prophets and slay them, but they love their martyrs and honor those they have slain.
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Whenever you have truth it must be given with love, or the message and the messenger will be rejected.
Mahatma Gandhi
When you’re following your inner voice, doors tend to eventually open for you, even if they mostly slam at first.
Kelly Cutrone
It takes a courageous fool to say things that have not been said and to do things that have not been done.
Criss Jami
I really wish I was less of a thinking man and more of a fool not afraid of rejection.
Billy Joel
Rejection is a challenge.
Veronica Purcell