A Prophet is not without honor......(Mk 4: 4 - 6).

A prophet is not without honor except………(Mk 6: 4 - 6).

“Amen, I say to you, no prophet is accepted in his own native place.”  (Lk 4: 34).  When we read these words and compare the very exclusion of far too many in ministry it makes us wonder why those closest to us are the first to express doubt, or turn their backs on Christ.  The unwelcome attitude that our Lord experienced from the very ones he came to redeem had to be more than a slap in the face, it was the first sign of the rejection towards Jesus in his ministry.   Already turning the other cheek to an enemy was taking on the very premise against the mercy of God.  

Many years ago, in my early years as a deacon, my niece refused to have me baptize their three boys.  As a family my sister and niece were close to me and it was strange that they would ignore that possible part of a family unit with one member being in Holy Orders.  Of course, my niece’s husband used to play handball with a priest until he discovered this priest was gay.  That suddenly turned him against the clergy and he remarked at the confirmation of the oldest’ son was, “don’t ever think of becoming a priest.”  Somewhere in his attitude, all clergy were placed in a hands-off from the family which included my diaconate.  

My reason for revealing this incident is that the more any of us experience these interludes of rejection, the more we are receiving the exact  turn-offs that Jesus felt every time he did not please his listeners, especially the Pharisees who constantly accused him of blasphemy and the Saduccees who didn’t believe in the resurrection.  The feeling of the Son of God learned quickly how men can turn their backs on someone who is sent by God to give the needy an understanding of the grace of God in their lives.  (Go into the world and proclaim the gospel).   (Mt 28: 19).   

Ever since the period where the Attorney General, now our governor, brought to life the peadaphile situation and the scandal of so many priests in Pittsburgh brought the trust of many Catholics to a halt.  However, the statistics showed that the percentage of guilty priests was small when compared to the many who were not part of that tragic moment in the Church.  Like my niece’s husband there were too many who made a legitimate but very judgemental decision to place the rest of the clergy into a crucible and wanted to squeeze God’s calling of priests and deacons like wine from exquisite grapes, the best of the crop.

When you have available to you one who believes in the words of the bishop at ordination, to obedience, and are sent to present to their congregations the true love that is a major element of the acceptance of Holy Orders, through the grace of God, is well worth the opportunity of his ordination.  Take advantage of how Christ called each of us to carry the gift of faith on their backs and handed it over to the souls of the world; including their own relatives. 

Being ignored and rejected is not a pity-party to pout about.  Jesus did not allow this ignorance from understanding by many who do not see the Church as a relevant part of their lives, to become a block of preaching the gospel by our actions.  He announced the gospel of truth to those who wanted his Word, and so should we follow his example and not chase after those who do not.  They knew who Jesus was and our close relatives also know who we are. 

Ralph B.Hathaway