NAGMAHAL, NABIGO, NAGWAGI

HE just came from a hectic “miracle" tour.

Jesus healed the man with a withered hand (Mark 3). He calmed the sea to keep the apostles safe (Mark 4). He drove out evil spirits from a man. He healed a woman who was afflicted with hemorrhages for 12 years. He cured the daughter of a synagogue official named Jarius (Mark 5).

HE must be excited to return home. Any athlete or sports team looks forward to the home court. Because home is where one feels loved. It's home sweet home. Well, that was not the case in today’s Gospel. They should have given Him the hero’s welcome like what we Pinoys gave to Pacquiao or Catriona. But instead of cheers, it was jeers. Instead of "congratulations", they welcomed Him with “questions”.

“Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! Is he not the carpenter, the son of Mary, & the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us? AND THEY TOOK OFFENSE AT HIM" - Mark 6:2-3

They questioned Him. They judged Him. They rejected Him. Sakit noh? That's sad. :( Aren't we like that too?

• Don’t we question Jesus when we asked, "I attend church regularly but why do I still suffer?"
• Don’t we judge God when we say, “God should not have allowed that baby to die of cancer”.
• Don’t we reject God when we decide that, “it’s ok to skip Mass. God will understand.

Here's the first point - We need to be extra careful of our reactions. We should not to allow our own personal biases, our family or friends to distract us from Jesus. He is the truth, the way & the life (John 14:6). There is no other way, truth or life.

Here’s the second point - We will experience rejections when we follow Jesus. It will be difficult. But don’t despair because Jesus was rejected too. He experienced rejection from strangers, followers & even from his own town.

The good news is that Jesus shows us that victory comes with rejection. At the end of His earthly life, Jesus rose up from the dead. HE was victorious! People may reject, question or judge you when you follow God. So what?

Tandaan, WALANG TAONG NAGTAGUMPAY ANG HINDI NABIGO.

Don't focus on the crowd that questions, judges & rejects you. Focus on God’s victory. Focus on His love. May God bless the rest of your week! - alvinfabella@yahoo.com