Fr. Patrick Santianez, s.x
XIV SUNDAY IN OT REFLECTION O. T. YEAR B
There is a funny story about a bishop who was interviewing a senior seminarian before his ordination as a deacon, and asked him where he would like to be assigned as a deacon for pastoral training. The seminarian said somewhat boldly: "Oh, my bishop, anywhere but to New Canaan!" "Why not there?" the bishop asked. "You know - the seminarian answered - that’s my hometown, and we all know that ‘a prophet is not without honor except in his native place.’” The bishop replied: "Don't worry, my friend! Nobody in your hometown is going to take you as a prophet."
The three Sunday readings tell us about experiences of God’s messengers who were rejected by their people. Despite their rejection, these prophets remain faithful in their missionary work. Why? Because of their faith in God. My reflection today deals with these two words: Faith and Mission.
In the first Reading, we have the story of Ezekiel who was sent by God to the rebellious people of Israel. What made Ezekiel persist in his mission, despite the attitude of the Israelites? His faith in God. He is faithful to God, no matter the cost. It was clear to Ezekiel that believing in God is a must not only when things go right; giving oneself to God is needed not only when the sailing is smooth. Faith for Ezekiel means always, at any time, whether the sun is shining or the storm is heavily pounding on me, I will accept God and make his message available to the people. Sometimes in our pastoral work we may feel discouraged by the stubbornness or unconcern of the people. But as Ezekiel was totally faithful to God, I must know that mission does not consist in how many people I baptize nor in how many churches I build, but in obedience to God.
In the Second Reading, we have the story of St. Paul, physically a weak person but surprisingly chosen by the Risen Christ to be his missionary. Like Ezekiel, the reason why he continues his mission despite his weaknesses is his faith in God. Because of faith, he found strength in his weakness. Through his weakness he knows he needs Christ.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus himself experienced what happened to Ezekiel. People didn’t accept him as a prophet because they “knew” him. They could not accept this ordinary man, a member of an ordinary family, to be the bearer of God’s word. These people were not ready to be surprised by God. Faith includes being open to God’s surprising ways. If our minds are rigidly set according to human standards and plans, then faith is powerless. How many times in our experience, because of our rigidity and blindness, we have rejected many Ezekiels, Pauls and Jesus’ in our midst? Here is a case in point. Once our gateman came to tell me that one parishioner was waiting for me at the gate. I asked him what was the name of the person. He mentioned the name. Since I “knew” the man, I gave a lot of excuses why I could not see not the man (I was not well, I was busy, I was too tired, etc.). I knew this man. After three hours I thought that the man had gone away, but, to my surprise he was still there, waiting at the gate. I shouted at him like a hungry dog. When I finished my barking, the man told me: “I came here just to give you these corn heads because I know that you like this food. This is to say ‘Thank you’ for the scholarship you gave to my son”. The man that I considered a nuisance, a beggar, a criminal, a pauper… is the same man that did surprise me about who God is.
Do we have faith enough to accept God’s mysterious ways and the messengers he sends to bring us his word?
In our daily life we do need faith. Faith is important not only for missionaries, but also for those who are supposed to welcome God’s messengers.
*No Mo in Krio means Only. So Faith in God no mo means Only faith in God…
XIV SUNDAY IN OT REFLECTION O. T. YEAR B
There is a funny story about a bishop who was interviewing a senior seminarian before his ordination as a deacon, and asked him where he would like to be assigned as a deacon for pastoral training. The seminarian said somewhat boldly: "Oh, my bishop, anywhere but to New Canaan!" "Why not there?" the bishop asked. "You know - the seminarian answered - that’s my hometown, and we all know that ‘a prophet is not without honor except in his native place.’” The bishop replied: "Don't worry, my friend! Nobody in your hometown is going to take you as a prophet."
The three Sunday readings tell us about experiences of God’s messengers who were rejected by their people. Despite their rejection, these prophets remain faithful in their missionary work. Why? Because of their faith in God. My reflection today deals with these two words: Faith and Mission.
In the first Reading, we have the story of Ezekiel who was sent by God to the rebellious people of Israel. What made Ezekiel persist in his mission, despite the attitude of the Israelites? His faith in God. He is faithful to God, no matter the cost. It was clear to Ezekiel that believing in God is a must not only when things go right; giving oneself to God is needed not only when the sailing is smooth. Faith for Ezekiel means always, at any time, whether the sun is shining or the storm is heavily pounding on me, I will accept God and make his message available to the people. Sometimes in our pastoral work we may feel discouraged by the stubbornness or unconcern of the people. But as Ezekiel was totally faithful to God, I must know that mission does not consist in how many people I baptize nor in how many churches I build, but in obedience to God.
In the Second Reading, we have the story of St. Paul, physically a weak person but surprisingly chosen by the Risen Christ to be his missionary. Like Ezekiel, the reason why he continues his mission despite his weaknesses is his faith in God. Because of faith, he found strength in his weakness. Through his weakness he knows he needs Christ.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus himself experienced what happened to Ezekiel. People didn’t accept him as a prophet because they “knew” him. They could not accept this ordinary man, a member of an ordinary family, to be the bearer of God’s word. These people were not ready to be surprised by God. Faith includes being open to God’s surprising ways. If our minds are rigidly set according to human standards and plans, then faith is powerless. How many times in our experience, because of our rigidity and blindness, we have rejected many Ezekiels, Pauls and Jesus’ in our midst? Here is a case in point. Once our gateman came to tell me that one parishioner was waiting for me at the gate. I asked him what was the name of the person. He mentioned the name. Since I “knew” the man, I gave a lot of excuses why I could not see not the man (I was not well, I was busy, I was too tired, etc.). I knew this man. After three hours I thought that the man had gone away, but, to my surprise he was still there, waiting at the gate. I shouted at him like a hungry dog. When I finished my barking, the man told me: “I came here just to give you these corn heads because I know that you like this food. This is to say ‘Thank you’ for the scholarship you gave to my son”. The man that I considered a nuisance, a beggar, a criminal, a pauper… is the same man that did surprise me about who God is.
Do we have faith enough to accept God’s mysterious ways and the messengers he sends to bring us his word?
In our daily life we do need faith. Faith is important not only for missionaries, but also for those who are supposed to welcome God’s messengers.
*No Mo in Krio means Only. So Faith in God no mo means Only faith in God…