Are you a rejected prophet or rejecting a prophet?

Today’s Gospel reading reminds me of my own experience when I first settled in Canada. At that time, Chinese martial arts movies gained popularity and Jackie Chan’s fame was escalating. However, instead of feeling proud of him, I laughed at his fans’ enthusiasm because I thought I knew Jackie Chan. What is so great about him? He was just the boy living next door!!

Those people in Jesus’ hometown felt the same too. More so, they not only knew Jesus, they knew his family as well. They could not see anything exceptional in this native boy who grew up among them. When people think they know you, they think they know what to expect from you. When you turn out to be someone different or worse still, better than what they expect, surely is their astonishment but so is their rejection too because you disrupt their confidence and comfort of “knowing” you.

By baptism, we are baptized into Christ and share His prophetic role. We are called to be different and better in our new lives. What Jesus had said is still true today. In following Jesus and proclaiming the truth, we are susceptible to criticism, sarcasm and rejection. Very often, these come from relatives and friends who are close and dear to us because they “know” us. Will we be able to withstand these adversities and still walk with Jesus? Do we let God’s glory shine through in our weaknesses and trials so that His “power is made perfect”? (2 Cor 12:9) More importantly, in reverse role, will we be ready to accept and rejoice if someone among us may transcend his/her milieu unexpectedly and not react like Jesus’ townsfolk?