Rejection Reality

~~~Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor of the Church ~~~
~~~  Job 3:1-3, 11-17, 20-23 ~~~ Psalm 88 ~~~ Luke 9:51-56 ~~~

Let my prayer come before you, Lord.

There are times when each of us can say we have felt rejected.
Maybe it was within your family. Maybe it was
 in your neighborhood or in the work place.
Rejection cuts to the core in many ways.
Perhaps you have received the dreaded job rejection letter...
you just don't quite measure up to their requirements.

Maybe you were passed over for a promotion.
Maybe your were not invited to a special gathering.
Maybe you were invited only to find out
you were seated with the 'casual' acquaintances not the close friends.
Sometimes we make up reasons for feeling rejected that are far from the truth.

Job was feeling rejected. It is evident in much of his writing.
Job does not even know why he was allowed to be born.

Why did I not perish at birth,
come forth from the womb and expire?

Rejection affects the person in much the same
way as physical pain does...
no wonder it makes you feel so bad.
For some reason the brain can remember
the pain of rejection more vividly than physical pain.
Just ask any woman who has given birth to compare that pain
to the pain of being rejected by their best friend.
The physical pain is soon forgotten while the pain of rejection
will quickly bring forth the same emotional pain.

Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem where he is rejected in Samaria.
Jesus did experience rejection even in his own home town
The disciples wanted to retaliate against the people,
 but Jesus took it all in stride.

One of our basic needs is the need to belong.
Rejection stirs up just the opposite feelings.
The apostles needed to feel like they belonged
 because they were with Jesus.
So when he was rejected they took it personally
explaining why they wanted to strike back.
Rejection is dangerous because it creates
 the perfect environment for anger.

Rejection needs to be faced and not just ignored.
Jesus handled his rejection by moving on
thus protecting his self-esteem.
Jesus did not allow rejection to control his future actions.
Jesus understands when we are faced
 with the emotional pain of rejection.

Come to him with your pain.
Know that he will never reject you no matter what you do...
even if you intentionally reject him.
Blessings from the one who understands best.
~~~Peace~~~