Which is better - Success or Failure?

In one's own country...

1 He departed from there and came to his native place,[a] accompanied by his disciples. 2 [b]When the sabbath came he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished. They said, “Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has been given him? What mighty deeds are wrought by his hands! 3 Is he not the carpenter,[c] the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 [d]Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house.” 5 So he was not able to perform any mighty deed there,[e] apart from curing a few sick people by laying his hands on them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.-Mark6:1-6

Is it indeed possible that perhaps Jesus' townsfolk wondered where He got His power? "Is it from this place or that place?" "Where did He go and where did He get His powers?" As if it can be bought next door!

We all know that in Jewish tradition, a person can call his cousins, half-siblings, nephews, nieces and kinsman/woman as his/her own brothers and sisters (e.g. Tobias and Sarah). In fact, I call my older cousins and other relatives as brothers and sisters because culture and respect require it.

The Gospel reading is all about the people's lack of faith in Jesus simply because they know Him - "Oh! He's the boy around the corner who happens to be a carpenter." Yes, in there eyes, Jesus is and will always be a carpenter, no more, no less. How sad, isn't it? But it is true that some people would rather see you fail, than be better. Some people would rather see you miserable and sad, than be happy. Some people would rather see you unsuccessful, than be successful. Jesus is inviting us to rejoice in other people's success and betterment. What is better - success or failure? If we want others to rejoice in our success and betterment, we should learn too to rejoice in theirs.

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A trifle thing

Much is lost because of their lack of faith.

54 [a]He came to his native place and taught the people in their synagogue. They were astonished[b] and said, “Where did this man get such wisdom and mighty deeds? 55 Is he not the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother named Mary and his brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? 56 Are not his sisters all with us? Where did this man get all this?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and in his own house.” 58 And he did not work many mighty deeds there because of their lack of faith.-Matthew13:54-58

As I reflected on the gospel reading, I was saddened in some way by Jesus' town mates. Because they knew Him, they couldn't believe that Jesus can be greater. For them, Jesus will always be a carpenter just like His father, the boy next door, the man across the street, anything except a great Man. Sometimes we are like that too. We cannot believe that somebody so little before can be great today. Perhaps it is because of jealousy? Or perhaps our ego was hurt by other's success? Jesus is teaching us how much grace is lost when one gives in to jealousy. Let us then be free of it! Let us rejoice when our neighbors receive much blessings!

Belonging to Jesus

Believe.

22 The feast of the Dedication[a] was then taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. 23 [b]And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense?[c] If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you[d] and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,[e] and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. 30 [f]The Father and I are one.”-John10:22-30

When a person's heart is close, it is difficult to open. When a person believes in something, no one or nothing can dissuade him/her from believing. Jesus' actions and words are so obvious. Many saw Jesus make miracles and extraordinary feats - healing incurable diseases, driving out demons, miracles, teaching with authority, etc. And yet, despite the obvious, the people do not want to believe. Today, there are still many people who try to discredit Jesus. But a true sheep that truly belongs to Jesus hears His voice, believes in Him even if others will not, follows Him even if others will not. To whom do we belong - to Jesus or to a godless world?

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Credible Witnesses

Believe!

9 When he had risen, early on the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She went and told his companions who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
12 After this he appeared in another form to two of them walking along on their way to the country. 13 They returned and told the others; but they did not believe them either.
14 [But] later, as the eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. 15 He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature.-Mark16:9-15

There are things that are too good to be true, too good that it cannot be true. And there are things that are too good to be false, too good to be false. In the gospel reading, the disciples have trouble accepting the beautiful testimonies that Jesus is alive. After all, resurrection is something unproven during their time. But in succeeding readings, we can all see their transformation as their minds and hearts are opened to the truth - that Jesus is what the Law and the prophets are talking about, and He rose from the dead. Yes, the first of mankind resurrected and shared with us the promised eternal life. Seeing with their own eyes and experiencing Jesus concretely made the disciples true and credible witnesses to the truth.

Sometimes, we need to believe in something though it may seem impossible and unrealistic at all, for everything is possible with God.

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