Reflection

We know from Scripture that not everyone welcomed Jesus, if they had the crucifixion would never have happened! Jesus was often scorned and rejected and certainly not always popular. It follows that if Jesus was not popular then his disciples and followers wouldn't be popular either.

Often what stops people accepting Jesus is their pride and prejudice and Jesus is not given a chance because people have made up their minds about him before they meet him. It would be quite natural for Jesus to go home to Nazareth, after all he had lived there most of his life. Like any good Jew it was also natural for him to go to the Synagogue but rather than being taught, it was Jesus doing the teaching, but the people couldn't hear him because of their prejudice. 'How can he preach? Is he not a carpenter? Let him get back to making furniture'. They saw Jesus as a craftsman but could not see him as a preacher. They could see him as he was but could not accept him for what he had become. Jesus had changed but the people were unwilling to. Sadly, some would think he could not have a great message because he was just a working man. Where did he get his wisdom from - because he was no scholar! Prejudice again!!

Of course, they knew his family, his mother Mary his brothers and his sisters, we get a glimpse of the family home at Nazareth, Jesus was not an only child. He grew up in what would be considered a large family. We notice Joseph is not mentioned so he may have died. Jesus as the first born would have had to work hard to help bring this family up and that is why he was still in Nazareth until he is about 30. The people who knew his family would not accept that Jesus could achieve anything special because he was so ordinary in their eyes. It is still the same, people expressing incredulity at someone becoming a Doctor when their father was a motor mechanic!! They rejected him because he was so ordinary. How can a carpenter preach? Such prejudice has hampered many a good man or woman. Despite Jesus having healed some people, the people of Nazareth could not see his power. There are none so blind as those who do not want to see.

Jesus was amazed at their unbelief. He knew them and did not expect it from them. Before he left, he said 'prophets are not without honour, except in their home town and among their own kin, and in their own house' A sad statement from Jesus.

When people refuse to listen and then don't hear Jesus moves on, he goes to other villages, we know that Jesus never forces himself on anyone. We all have the choice to accept him as our Lord and our friend or to ignore him. The choice is definitely ours. It isn't that many are antagonistic to Jesus, it is more that they can't be bothered to put themselves out. When Jesus is ignored or rejected, he will move on, unless we call him back.

Has anyone seen the film The Mission? At the beginning Father Gabriel enters the jungle to preach to the Guaran¡ community. Previously, the community had been hostile to outsiders, but Father Gabriel goes alone and plays his oboe, hoping that the music will reach them. The Guaran¡ creep close, listening to the magical sound. One tribe member becomes angry and breaks the oboe in half. Another gestures for Father Gabriel to play it again. He shows that he cannot because it is broken. The man examines the oboe and beckons Gabriel to follow him to the village where he repairs it. This is the true start of the mission, when Father Gabriel is in need and the Guaran¡ people help him. It is like the moment that the disciples entered a village asking for hospitality.

When we hold onto God we have to loosen our hold on wealth, status or prestige. This last year has taught us that life is full of choices and there is not enough time to pursue the unimportant ones. Our faith is not an added extra to our social standing, our education or our wealth - a kind of bolt-on spirituality that gives enhancement to an already rich life. Sometimes our privilege misleads us, making us feel richer than we truly are. Sometimes our calling from God will undermine our popularity. We need to choose.

By today's ultra-cautious standards, Jesus' instructions to his disciples appeared cavalier at best, and reckless at worst. We live in a time when everyone is encouraged to plan and prepare for every eventuality. Here in Britain, if we go on holiday we take in our suitcase clothes to suit all four seasons......just in case. Not to do so is regarded as careless. Jesus' approach flies in the face of such materialistic convention; it is a 'less is more' concept - less reliance on ourselves (via what we have) and more on God and others. This involves an unburdening of oneself to the point where a person is no longer in control. The idea of being vulnerable and out of one's comfort zone is never a comfortable experience, but it is often during those times that we are most receptive to God and his plans for our lives.

How would you react to someone who said they were an evangelist and God had told them to stay at your house? In today's world, 'Of course' may not be the first or most obvious response that comes to mind! However, when Jesus sent out his disciples on their missionary activities, he knew the Hebrew (Old Testament) tradition of showing hospitality to the stranger or foreigner. And it is a practice that, as the New Testament shows, remains firmly within the Christian tradition too. How, then, should we respond to strangers? Do we take the issue of hospitality as seriously as Scripture encourages us to do? And if not, why not? Do we need to pray for a spirit of generosity and warmth towards those seeking the love and help that only Jesus can provide?

The message of the disciples begins as Jesus began 'Repent! It is a message to turn around, turn around because you are going in the wrong direction, this is a call that disturbs, a call to be aware of where we are going and to accept that we can change. The disciples revealed the mercy, the loving kindness of God in bringing liberty and healing. Like Jesus they never force themselves on anyone. God respects our freedom. How do we express the mission of Jesus, When do we proclaim the message to those outside and show them acts of mercy, revealing the loving kindness of God. Do we see that all who are called by Jesus are involved in his mission, including each and every one of us. Amen