My family and I applied for visas for a sponsored mission trip to a European country. It was our first time and we were excited. We prayed to get approval, but we got denied. It was heartbreaking.

Have you ever felt denied and rejected? Have you been turned down by someone you hoped would help? It’s disappointing, and we can be driven to anger and despair.

In the Gospel, Jesus was also denied entry. It must’ve been humiliating and provocative that James and John wanted to call down fire from heaven to consume them. Of course, Jesus rebuked them. Don’t we also want to call down fire from heaven on those who reject us? But Jesus’ way is one of peace and acceptance. Disappointments can teach us to be humble.

Believe in your heart that rejections are God’s redirections for your life. He is faithful and will always accept you. Most importantly, He has something (or someone) better for you. Trust Him. Kirby Llaban (kirby@kirbyllaban.com)

reflect

Do you still act in a Christian way when denied or rejected?

Lord, help me to accept that some things are not meant for me. May I learn to put my hope and trust in You and know that You’re preparing something better for me. Amen.

St. Wenceslaus, martyr, pray for us.

First Reading | Zechariah 8:20-23

There are many aspects of culture and life and the ability to draw people to them. These are based on the dignity of the human person. Let us uphold this truth in our communities and personal lives. There is never an excuse to harm a human being’s dignity. If this happens, the only solution is repentance.

²⁰ Thus says the Lord of hosts: There shall yet come peoples, the inhabitants of many cities; ²¹ and the inhabitants of one city shall approach those of another, and say, “Come! let us go to implore the favor of the Lord;” and, “I too will go to seek the Lord.” ²² Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem and to implore the favor of the Lord. ²³ Thus, says the Lord of hosts: In those days ten men of every nationality, speaking different tongues, shall take hold, yes, take hold of every Jew by the edge of his garment and say, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.”

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 87:1-3, 4-5, 6-7

R: God is with us.

¹ His foundation upon the holy mountains ² the Lord loves: the gates of Zion, more than any dwelling of Jacob. ³ Glorious things are said of you, O city of God! (R) ⁴ I tell of Egypt and Babylon among those that know the Lord; of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia: “This man was born there.” ⁵ And of Zion they shall say: “One and all were born in her; and he who has established her is the Most High Lord.” (R) ⁶ They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:“This man was born there.” ⁷ And all shall sing, in their festive dance:“My home is within you.” (R)

Gospel | Luke 9:51-56

Jesus gently calls back sinners to repentance by the power of His love. It is easier to give up on a sinful person than to win him back to Jesus’ love. However, human dignity demands that we do this. Let us never give up on anyone. With God’s love on our side, anything is possible.

Gospel Acclamation

The Son of Man came to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.

⁵¹ When the days for Jesus being taken up were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem, ⁵² and he sent messengers ahead of him. On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, ⁵³ but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. ⁵⁴ When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” ⁵⁵ Jesus turned and rebuked them, ⁵⁶ and they journeyed to another village.

Read the Bible in one year! Read EZEKIEL 33 - 36 today.

It is definitely a story of nonacceptance, a prelude to the ultimate rejection—all the way up to death on the cross. The Lord was on the way up to Jerusalem for the last time. The journey was an uphill, difficult climb in more senses than just one. This final trip to Jerusalem was no exception. The envious Samaritans weren’t exactly happy.

It has always been part of life in this valley of tears. The more you do good, the more some people who cannot stand being outdone act up in a negative sense. They either aggressively counteract the good being done or simply behave passive-aggressively and act like they don’t care. The Samaritans apparently chose the latter path. Even with the Lord taking a proactive stance and “sending messengers before Him,” “they did not welcome Him.”

Filipinos have a unique word for the likes of them—dedma. But not doing anything could be just as bad as doing something positively evil. The goals of both are the same—play down or passively resist the good being done. But the usual hot rods (James and John) wouldn’t hear any of it. They reacted immediately and were about ready to do an Elijah-esque response to rejection: “Lord, do You want us to order fire to fall from heaven and destroy them?” The Lord, however, true to form as a man with a mission, sent from no less than above, would brook no distractions and not be dissuaded by such “tripping stones” set up by those who do not want Him to succeed. He rebuked them.

This says a whole lot not only about Christ and His desire to do as bidden by the Father, but also about you and me. How much do we care about what others say? Are we easily set off track by irresponsible comments by people whose intentions are not to give constructive criticisms but to destroy our person/s?

Jack Miffleton’s song haunts me. “Up to Jerusalem the Lord goes to die.” And go up there, He did. Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

reflection question

Are you easily distracted by irresponsible comments and criticisms whenever you do good?

Help me to always focus on my mission for You, Lord. Let nothing distract me from following and doing Your will.

Today, I pray for: _______________________________