Joseph prefigured Jesus when he was rejected violently by his brothers (Gn 37:20ff). Jesus is "the Stone Which the builders rejected" Which became "the Keystone of the structure" (Mt 21:42). Jesus was rejected so violently and hatefully that He was crucified. All of us have been rejected and probably will be rejected many times. These rejections may be violent, hateful, or subtle. May we forgive as Joseph and Jesus did. May our response to being repeatedly rejected make us better rather than bitter.

However, our natural reaction to being rejected is to reject the rejecter. Only in Jesus can we refuse to do the natural and do the supernatural. Only Jesus can turn rejection to the good for those who love Him (Rm 8:28). Only in Jesus can we forgive, for "to err is human; to forgive is divine." Jesus is God, and He will give us His divine power to forgive as He forgave — even on the cross. Then, in being rejected, we will become not only better but holy.

Let's not spend our lives trying to avoid being rejected. This will result in our refusing to live to the full. Let's not center our lives around reacting to rejections. Let us reject rejection — not those rejecting us. Let us accept Jesus on His terms, for He promises: "No one who comes will I ever reject" (Jn 6:37).

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Ralph J. Lawrence, August 9, 2000

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 18, 2000