No Bad News

07-04-2021Weekly Reflection© J. S. Paluch Company

There are many times when we say, “Tell me what I want to hear, and don’t confuse me with facts.” And we don’t take kindly to someone who might be bold enough to snuff out our expectations.

The biggest problem with such an attitude is not that we miss out on the truth or the facts, but that we miss out on the new and surprising gifts others can give us. Like the townspeople in today’s Gospel story, we too often refuse to allow others to display the talents that can be good news for us.

Today’s readings call for hospitality and faith and discernment. Hospitality opens the doors of our hearts and minds to the “stranger” among us, no matter how familiar he or she may seem to be. Faith enables us to accept the gifts of others, no matter how alarming or “strange” they may seem to be. Discernment helps us discover the prophets in our midst, no matter how amazing they may seem to be. Hospitality, faith, and discernment — cultivate these. Then, nobody can bring bad news.