September 24, 2019 4:00 pm

Dealing With Rejection

Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

“And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Luke 9:5

This is a bold statement from Jesus. It’s also a statement that should bolden us in the face of opposition.
What does this mean? It especially tells us two things. First, when we are rejected it can hurt. As a result, it’s easy for us to sulk and stew over the rejection and hurt. It’s easy to sit and be angry and, as a result, to allow the rejection to do us even more damage.
Shaking the dust from our feet is a way of saying that we ought not allow the hurt we receive to affect us. It’s a way of making a clear statement that we will not be controlled by the opinions and malice of others. This is an important choice to make in life when facing rejection.

Secondly, it’s a way of saying that we must keep moving on. Not only do we have to get over any hurt we have, but we need to then move on to seek out those who will receive our love and our message of the Gospel. So, in a sense, this exhortation from Jesus is not first about dealing with the rejection of others; rather, it’s primarily about seeking out those who will receive us and will receive the message of the Gospel we are called to give.

Lord, when I experience rejection and hurt, help me to let go of any anger I have. Help me to continue with my mission of love and to keep sharing Your Gospel with those who will receive it. Jesus, I trust in You.

Dealing With Rejection

Wednesday, September 25, 2019
Twenty-Fifth Week in Ordinary Time

“And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.” Luke 9:5

This is a bold statement from Jesus. It’s also a statement that should bolden us in the face of opposition.
What does this mean? It especially tells us two things. First, when we are rejected it can hurt. As a result, it’s easy for us to sulk and stew over the rejection and hurt. It’s easy to sit and be angry and, as a result, to allow the rejection to do us even more damage.
Shaking the dust from our feet is a way of saying that we ought not allow the hurt we receive to affect us. It’s a way of making a clear statement that we will not be controlled by the opinions and malice of others. This is an important choice to make in life when facing rejection.

Secondly, it’s a way of saying that we must keep moving on. Not only do we have to get over any hurt we have, but we need to then move on to seek out those who will receive our love and our message of the Gospel. So, in a sense, this exhortation from Jesus is not first about dealing with the rejection of others; rather, it’s primarily about seeking out those who will receive us and will receive the message of the Gospel we are called to give.

Lord, when I experience rejection and hurt, help me to let go of any anger I have. Help me to continue with my mission of love and to keep sharing Your Gospel with those who will receive it. Jesus, I trust in You.