Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Ordinary Time
Gospel: Mark 6:1-6
The Way Christ Handled Rejection

We often see those who, after achieving success in their careers, return to their hometowns where they grew up. Upon returning, they try to share their successful experiences with the elders and fellow villagers, hoping to help them live better lives as they have. Yet when they earnestly try to persuade the people of their hometown, the conservative elders may question their abilities—for in their eyes, these now-successful individuals, whom they have known since childhood, seem to have nothing particularly extraordinary about them.

Today, Jesus returns to Nazareth. The crowd in the synagogue of His hometown does not rejoice in all that He had done in Capernaum. Instead, they look down on Him because what He has accomplished outside Nazareth is inconsistent with the teachings they were accustomed to accept. Our Savior, Jesus Christ, did not choose to argue with them or force them to accept Him and the new vision He brought. Rather, He chose to leave, setting an example for us.

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ! Through Baptism, we are united with our Lord Jesus Christ. When we face rejection or being looked down upon in life, let us follow the example of Jesus Christ: respect others’ choices, and always pray for them to God.

O Jesus Christ, You are truly good and merciful. Teach us to be like You, so that we may, like You, embrace all people—especially those who disagree with us. You are God, one with the Father and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen.

©Totus Tuus 2026
Cum Approbatione Ecclesiastica