Yesterday, I had the chance and spare time to talk to an office colleague. We discussed a lot of things about our work and life in general until we come across our common experience—getting measured not in terms of accomplishments but of thins we didn’t do well. And of all the things you have done wonderfully, you will be judged instead with your shortcomings. As I often say, “You cannot please anybody.†If you will ask somebody to tell you what he can see from a piece of paper, more often than not, you will find him in continuous litany of the paper’s inferior aspects.
In today’s column of one of my favorite writers, Fr. Jerry Orbos reflects on the experience of Jesus as He encountered opposition from the very same people—from His hometown of Nazareth.
Opposition By Fr. Jerry Orbos
Someone once said that if you are planning to buy a second-hand car, the best thing to do is to take the car to used-car dealers, and tell them you want to sell it to them, and they will tell you everything that is wrong with it.
In today’s Gospel (Lk. 4, 21-30), we are told that Jesus encountered opposition from his town mates—in spite of His growing fame all over the region, and in spite of His gracious words. His fellow Nazoreans, especially the chief priests and elders, focused not on what was right but on what was wrong with Him. Indeed, no prophet is acceptable, especially in his own native place.
We cannot please everyone. In fact, we should not. Otherwise, we will end up pleasing no one. As soon as we take a position, right away there is opposition. So the best thing to do is to take a stand and face the consequences of our decision. In the end, may we not have regrets that in our efforts to please man and ourselves, we did not do what is pleasing to God.
Whatever position or opposition we take is for a mission. A mission always points to something or someone greater than ourselves. Prophets are those who point to something or someone beyond themselves. Are you doing your role as a prophet, or are you one who sees only profits?
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