Rejection

When his disciples James and John saw it, they said “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them” (Luke 9:54).

            When I was in High School, I often tried to get a summer job. I wanted to put aside some money for University and knew having some work experience would be helpful once I finished my education. Most of my friends were able to find a job but it seemed like every time I applied for a position I was rejected because I had no experience. The fact I didn’t know anyone working at the establishment also did not help in getting hired. After a while, I began to take the rejection personally. Was it that people just didn’t like something about me? Clearly, rejection is a painful experience for most people.

            In this passage from Luke, Christ’s messengers are rejected by inhabitants of a Samaritan village because they are heading for Jerusalem. In response, James and John want to bring down fire upon the place. By rejecting this approach, Jesus demonstrates how Disciples are to respond to rejection.

            Relations between Samaritans and Jews were tense during Christ’s lifetime. Samaritans were inhabitants of the Northern Kingdom of Israel whose capital was Samaria. Many Prophets in the Hebrew Scriptures/Old Testament charged them with corruption and False Worship. When the Assyrians conquered the region, they deported some Jews and brought in colonists from their own country who settled there. This caused the development of a version of Judaism influenced by other Religions and based only on the Pentateuch. Jews and Samaritans differed about issues such as: the proper place for the Worship of God; which Sacred Writings belonged in the Bible; and the observance of Purity Laws. It was likely for this reason that the messengers sent by Jesus received a hostile reception from the Samaritan villagers. James and John’s reaction was the one expected from Jews insulted by their foes. Fire from heaven was a punishment which indicated God was on their side. However, as Jesus taught when he sent out the Twelve on their Mission, retaliation was the wrong response to rejection. After they shook the dust off from their sandals, Disciples simply moved on to the next place. It was God who decided if any further action was necessary. When Christ rebuked James and John, he demonstrated how the response to rejection  distinguished his Disciples from other people.

            Within our polarized Society, the response to rejection has often become more personal. When someone is not accepted, they instantly think it is because of such reasons as their Gender, Race or Religion. Since these qualities are part of their identity, they see it as an attack on them as a person and respond with hostility. The result is often increased tension between individuals and groups which undermines the bonds within Society. Although Sexism, Racism and Religious Bigotry are major Social problems and must be confronted not every rejection is caused by these reasons. Differences in personality, values and tastes, in addition to other factors, means there are people who do not get along with one another. Individuals cannot be required to like each other. Peaceful co-existence may be the best Humanity can achieve. An effort to impose acceptance by creating a Culture of “inclusion” where rejection is not tolerated is likely doomed to failure. The Pope has warned against this effort to do so. Catholics and other people of Faith encounter a lot of rejection in our Secular Culture. Their beliefs are condemned in the Media and participation in Society are frequently restricted by Government regulation. In Canada, groups whose Beliefs are not compliant with the Charter of Rights may face problems in the near future. For this reason, it is tempting to respond like James and John: call for Divine Punishment. Yet, Jesus made it clear this was not an option. Catholics must just keep holding on to their Beliefs despite the rejection they may face in the Public Square. They need to use the opportunities available to them to build the Kingdom of God on earth by such activities as: welcoming refugees; feeding the hungry; and advocating for affordable housing. Rejection can easily become a distraction for them. As they deal with their injured pride because they take the rejection they experienced personally, chances to make Christ present in the world are missed. Jesus was nailed to a Cross by his enemies. Was there ever a better example of personal rejection? Yet, according to Luke he forgave those who killed him. Rejection is part of being a Disciple. How Catholics respond to it is even more so.

            As I learned in High School while trying to get a summer job, rejection is an unpleasant experience. I might have been rejected because of some factor over which I had no control, like my ethnicity or the fact there were no jobs available at that store. The experience taught me not to take it personally. It also prepared me for the rejection I would encounter later in life because of my Catholic Faith and desire to become a Priest. Like Jesus, I just kept moving on to the next place in my life.

June 26, 2022