Jesus is the fullest revelation possible in the human life of God’s tender and merciful love for humankind. Yet, He experienced the turning away of people from this love, their refusal to respond to it in any meaningful way.
When He sends out His disciples in today’s gospel passage, Jesus warns them to expect the same. They are to proclaim the Good News that the kingdom of God is at hand, the reign of God’s life-giving love, but they will encounter those who will not welcome them and will not listen to what they have to say. This negative response is not to deter them from their mission of proclaiming God’s loving presence by what they say and do. It certainly did not prevent Jesus when He suffered the ultimate rejection on the Cross; He announced the same Good News as Risen LORD to those who had turned away from Him and rejected Him.
So, as followers of Jesus Christ, we are to reveal the loving presence of God, regardless of how others receive us. An essential question for self-reflection, though, when others do not welcome us is this: Is this rejection of the message or rejection of the way the message is delivered and received? In all that we say and do in the name of the LORD, God’s rendered mercies must be evident.+
Homily for the Feast of St. Matthias, Apostle
Homily for Monday of the 7th Week of Easter
Homily for the 7th Sunday of Easter
Homily for Saturday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Friday of the 6th Week of Easter
Homily for the Solemnity of the Ascension of the Lord
Homily for Wednesday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time
Homily for Tuesday of the 6th Week of Easter
Homily for Monday of the 6th Week of Easter
Homily for the 6th Sunday of Easter
Homily for Saturday of the 5th Week of Easter
Homily for the Feast of Saints Philip and James, Apostles
Homily for the Memorial of Saint Athanasius
Homily for Wednesday of the 5th Week of Easter
Homily for Tuesday of the 5th Week of Easter
Homily for the Memorial of St. Catherine of Siena
Homily for the 5th Sunday of Easter
Homily for Saturday of the 4th Week of Easter
Homily for Friday of the 4th Week of Easter
Homily for the Feast of St. Mark, Evangelist
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