Rejection

The WORD today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/041015.cfm) reminds me that rejections in life does not necessarily mean no from God.

A lot of great people experienced rejection. Great artists does not always get record label contracts the first time they try. Great literary works experienced a lot of rejections from publishers. Even great athletes experienced being cut from the team they are in. However, what made them great is that they kept trying  and did not let rejections stop them.

In the readings, we see how Jesus himself was rejected. In the first reading and psalm, we see that Jesus, the cornerstone, was rejected by the builders. The leaders at that time rejected Jesus. However, like great people, this did not stop Jesus. He did not let rejections get the best of him. He knew he was destined for something great. He knew which approval mattered. He kept going and doing what he was supposed to do.

In the gospel, we see the disciples also experiencing rejection. They were working overnight but did not get fish. However, when someone told them to fish on the other side, they obeyed despite feeling tired and rejected, and they were eventually rewarded for not letting rejections stop them.

In life, as followers of Christ, we will also experience rejection. However, we should be reminded on what Jesus did. He continued despite these rejections. He knew his purpose was great, and that God is there approving of what he is doing. In the same way, as we experience rejections and persecutions in life, we should focus on one approval that really matters – God’s. We just need to hang on to his word that he has great plans for us, and continue doing what he asks of us. Eventually, as we surrender to Him, we will be rewarded and all those rejections will not matter.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another reminder. Lord, I am sorry for the times I feel like giving up when experiencing rejections. Sorry for the times I actually gave up. Sorry for putting others’ approval ahead of yours. I ask you to give me the strength to just focus on you and the task you want me to do. Help me continue doing your work, no matter how many rejections from people I face. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

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April 10, 2015

Friday in the Octave of Easter

Lectionary: 265

Reading 1 Acts 4:1-12

After the crippled man had been cured,

while Peter and John were still speaking to the people,

the priests, the captain of the temple guard,

and the Sadducees confronted them,

disturbed that they were teaching the people

and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.

They laid hands on Peter and John

and put them in custody until the next day,

since it was already evening.

But many of those who heard the word came to believe

and the number of men grew to about five thousand.

On the next day, their leaders, elders, and scribes

were assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest,

Caiaphas, John, Alexander,

and all who were of the high-priestly class.

They brought them into their presence and questioned them,

“By what power or by what name have you done this?”

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, answered them,

“Leaders of the people and elders:

If we are being examined today

about a good deed done to a cripple,

namely, by what means he was saved,

then all of you and all the people of Israel should know

that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean

whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead;

in his name this man stands before you healed.

He is the stone rejected by you, the builders,

which has become the cornerstone.

There is no salvation through anyone else,

nor is there any other name under heaven

given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”

Responsorial Psalm Ps 118:1-2 and 4, 22-24, 25-27a

R. (22) The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,

for his mercy endures forever.

Let the house of Israel say,

“His mercy endures forever.”

Let those who fear the LORD say,

“His mercy endures forever.”

R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

or:

R. Alleluia.

The stone which the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone.

By the LORD has this been done;

it is wonderful in our eyes.

This is the day the LORD has made;

let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

or:

R. Alleluia.

O LORD, grant salvation!

O LORD, grant prosperity!

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;

we bless you from the house of the LORD.

The LORD is God, and he has given us light.

R. The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.

or:

R. Alleluia.

Alleluia Ps 118:24

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

This is the day the LORD has made;

let us be glad and rejoice in it.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Jn 21:1-14

Jesus revealed himself again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias.

He revealed himself in this way.

Together were Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus,

Nathanael from Cana in Galilee,

Zebedee’s sons, and two others of his disciples.

Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”

They said to him, “We also will come with you.”

So they went out and got into the boat,

but that night they caught nothing.

When it was already dawn, Jesus was standing on the shore;

but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus.

Jesus said to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”

They answered him, “No.”

So he said to them, “Cast the net over the right side of the boat

and you will find something.”

So they cast it, and were not able to pull it in

because of the number of fish.

So the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord.”

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord,

he tucked in his garment, for he was lightly clad,

and jumped into the sea.

The other disciples came in the boat,

for they were not far from shore, only about a hundred yards,

dragging the net with the fish.

When they climbed out on shore,

they saw a charcoal fire with fish on it and bread.

Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you just caught.”

So Simon Peter went over and dragged the net ashore

full of one hundred fifty-three large fish.

Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.

Jesus said to them, “Come, have breakfast.”

And none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?”

because they realized it was the Lord.

Jesus came over and took the bread and gave it to them,

and in like manner the fish.

This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to his disciples

after being raised from the dead