expect people not to understand - 26th week friday

This gospel passage is part of the instructions given by Jesus to the 72 disciples he was sending out to preach.  So, in reality the condemnations uttered by Jesus to Chorazin and Bethsaida were not said to the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida but to the 72 disciples.  And it was not the disciples who were condemned either.  Instead, Jesus is telling them that as you go expect rejections, as you preach the gospel, expect opposition, as you tell the truth about God expect insults, expect a rebuff, and also expect a cold shoulder.  In other words, get used to being ignored.  Nevertheless speak, nevertheless preach, nevertheless say what needs to be said.

Have you experienced relatives and friends asking you, telling you, “what are you doing in church, why spend so much time in the church, why do you have to go to mass every day and listen to those priests.”  I am not saying that those who say these deserve the condemnation of Jesus.  No. What I am saying is expect people not to understand, expect people to look down on what you value most.  Expect people to sneer at something you love, something you feel so important to you.  It is part of following Jesus, and the more we expect it to be such, the less we get frustrated.

Today, First Friday, we are reminded of the Heart of Jesus.  Why is this so important for us?  Because whatever happens, whatever rejection we go through because of our faith in Jesus, we are assured by His Sacred Heart that we are loved and that love can never be taken away from us whatever happens.