“Never being bogged down by melancholic and debasing tones; instead, ‘pursuing our dreams and mission’ to fulfil the plans that God envisions for our life!”

(Lev 23:1,4-11,15-16,27 and Mt 13:54-58 – Friday of the 17th Week in Ordinary Time)

“What, sir?
You would make a ship sail against the wind and currents by lighting a bonfire under her decks?

I pray you excuse me.

I have no time to listen to such nonsense.”

• These are the infamous words of Napoléon Bonaparte, the emperor of France…
  … as he reacted to Robert Fulton’s proposal for a steamboat, in the 18th century.

[Robert Fulton was an American engineer and inventor who is widely credited with developing the world’s first commercially successful steamboat (named as the ‘North River Steamboat’ or ‘Clermont’)

The success of his steamboat transformed the transportation and travel industries, and speeded up the Industrial Revolution.]

The initial proposal by Robert Fulton to Napoleon, however, had failed to create an impression on the powerful emperor…
… and it led to his rejection and rebuff, with the words: “What, sir?”

Life so often rings in such clatters of rejection and negativity.

Do we get bogged down by such melancholic and debasing tones?

Or can we continue to “pursue our dreams and mission” and fulfil the plans that God envisions for our life?

Undoubtedly, rejection is a sure companion in the life of a Christian, who is uncompromising and unwavering in one’s faith.

Despite this, are we ready to do the Will of God, and be His Faithful Followers?

The Gospel of the Day narrates a painful incident of “rejection” that our Blessed Lord encountered in His life, at the hands of His own country people (Mt 13: 54-58)

It is interesting to note, how the people of the hometown sought to justify their rejection of Jesus, by rationalizing their attitude…

Using 6 questions (6= A Biblical symbolic number which often stands for imperfection!)…
… the people of the hometown, revealed their clogged minds and closed hearts.

When one’s heart is rooted in unbelief and is closed to the truth…
… things of the Divine appear to be hostile!

And so the Lord declares a naked truth: “A prophet is not without honour, except in his own country or his own house!” (Mt 13: 57)

Jesus, indeed became the “Sign of Contradiction!”
… the Prince of Peace, begins to be seen as a cause of division and despise
… the Healer of Souls, begins to be seen as a cause of disagreement and discord!
… the Comforter of Hearts, begins to be seen as a cause of disturbance and distress

Anyone who seeks to follow Jesus – the “Sign of Contradiction” – the Epitome of Truth and Honesty…
… is sure to face the same experience!

Every true Christian, because of one’s convictions in the Eternal Values of Uncompromising Truth and with the Desire to do the Will of God, is sure to face…
… rejection from the people, because one’s ways challenge the lethargic lifestyle of others!
… dejection from the society, because one’s way of living poses a threat the corruption around!

But despite this “rejection”, can we still continue to hold on the Lord, the “Sign of Contradiction?”

Life so often rings in clatters of rejection and negativity.

We can either be disturbed and feel downcast by them…
… or be ready to buckle ourselves up with greater courage!

We can either blame all those situations and curse life…
… or we can be thankful for those moments, which provides us a chance for “more blessings!”

Yes, we need to remember always:

Rejection isn’t what happens to us…
… but how we interpret what happens to us!”

Situations and people around us may often question our dreams, aspirations and hopes with the question: “What, Sir?”

Let us, however, never allow ourselves to be bogged down by such melancholic and debasing tones
… instead, let us “pursue our dreams and mission” and fulfil the plans that God envisions in our life!

Let us re-dedicate our love and commitment to the Sacred Heart of Jesus…
… as we pray for greater dedication to the Will of God!

God Bless! Live Jesus!

---

Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
AT THE LAST SUPPER JESUS ANTICIPATED THE FREE OFFERING OF HIS LIFE

Jesus gave the supreme expression of his free offering of himself at the meal shared with the twelve Apostles “on the night he was betrayed”.
On the eve of his Passion, while still free, Jesus transformed this Last Supper with the apostles into the memorial of his voluntary offering to the Father for the salvation of men:
“This is my body which is given for you.”
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
The Eucharist that Christ institutes at that moment will be the memorial of his sacrifice.
Jesus includes the apostles in his own offering and bids them perpetuate it.

By doing so, the Lord institutes his apostles as priests of the New Covenant: “For their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth. (Cf. CCC # 610-611)