the ejection of rejection
"He was in the world, and through Him the world was made, yet the world did not know who He was." —John 1:10
Did you feel rejected in 2012? If you did, you're in good company. Jesus was also rejected. "To His own He came, yet His own did not accept Him" (Jn 1:11). What hurts most is that the rejection usually comes from those closest to us. For example, wives reject husbands in sexual relations; parents refuse to forgive their children; sons and daughters rebel and break their parents' hearts. The psalmist cries: "If an enemy had reviled me, I could have borne it; if he who hates me had vaunted himself against me, I might have hidden from him. But you, my other self, my companion and my bosom friend! You, whose comradeship I enjoyed; at whose side I walked in procession in the house of God!" (Ps 55:13-15)
Even in the Church we feel rejected by others. But our pain from rejection is almost nothing compared to humanity's constant rejection of the Lord for thousands of years. "Now many such antichrists have appeared. This makes us certain that it is the final hour. It was from our ranks that they took their leave" (1 Jn 2:18-19). No one has been rejected more than Jesus. He understands your pain.
As we end the old year and begin this new one, do two things: Forgive and give. First, ask for the power to forgive all the rejections of the past. Second, give yourself to Jesus. He promises: "All that the Father gives Me shall come to Me; no one who comes will I ever reject" (Jn 6:37). 2013 can be the best year of your life.
Prayer: Jesus, don't let me go to sleep tonight without forgiving everyone who has ever hurt and rejected me. I give myself to You. Remind me of this at midnight tonight.
Promise: "But you have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, so that all knowledge is yours." —1 Jn 2:20
Praise: Pope St. Sylvester's papacy was noted for building up the church and constructing basilicas. He understood building God's house took precedence over the comfort of man (see Hg 1:8-9).
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 27, 2012
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