Daily Devotional for January 24

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January 24                                                          Mark 6:1-13

Today's Scripture passage speaks of rejection, Jesus. You were
rejected by your own townsfolk as you taught there in the
synagogue. They did not believe that someone from such an
ordinary background as theirs could utter words of wisdom.
And your disciples, too, were often rejected as they traveled
from village to village, preaching your good news of salvation.

Jesus, in many ways I am like the people in your home town
of Nazareth. I reject the prophet. I am skeptical that wisdom
can come from the uneducated, from those who are not
politically correct, from those who do not share my ideology,
from those who are "below" me in social or intellectual
standing. Because of my lack of faith in those who seem "less"
than I by this world's standards, you are unable to perform
your miracles in me. By failing to recognize the wonder and
beauty in the ordinariness of my life, I even sometimes reject
the prophetic voice you have placed within me.

Jesus, in other ways I am like the disciples whom you sent
out to preach about conversion from sin. I feel rejected. I
preach your message of conversion of heart, but no one seems
to want to listen. We are too busy acquiring status, money,
power. I preach a Gospel of spiritual and corporal works of
kindness, justice, and mercy, but few want to hear.

Jesus, help me today to accept the prophet in others and not
to be silenced by the rejection I myself may meet. Amen.

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From The Road to Emmaus - An inclusive devotional Edited by Joseph W. Houle

Emmaus House of Prayer - Washington D.C.