In today's gospel, Jesus voices something that is true for all those who authentically seek to follow him: we will be rejected by the world around us. On many occasions, I use this advice to test the validity of a decision that has to be made as part of my discernment of God's promptings.
In fact, the scripture passages for today's liturgy speak of three instances when this truth was made evident: the story of Naaman the Syrian army commander (2 K 5:1-15), Elijah's encounter with the widow of Zarephath (Lk 4:25-26), and Jesus' own words offered in the synagogue (Lk 4:24).
How often does it happen that we bring our prayers to the Lord, asking for someone to be healed or for help to be given? It seems as though there is also a hidden expectation that accompanies such prayers: that God will ask us to do something truly demanding in return - as a kind of payment. How difficult it is for us to accept the fact that our God does not require payment for his goodness. Instead, he asks us only to do simple things in return - like just saying thank you.
Let's ask for the ability to let go of our expectations today. Maybe then we will be better able to be surprised by the profound love of God in action.
Have a great day.
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