[Jesus] came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power?”
Matthew 13:54
Dear members and friends,
Confucius taught, “Good medicine is bitter to the mouth, but good for the body, while good advice is bitter to the ears, but good for the mind.” Also, he said, “A crook would complement you, while a true friend would point out your weakness.” Thus, it has been Confucian tradition that truth means shining a light onto one’s weakness or shortcoming. Normally, most of us are quite aware of our weaknesses and shortcomings, yet with a degree of shame. Therefore, why should we do such a challenging and painful thing to ourselves as revealing them? The purpose is not to overcome our shortcomings by fixing or improving them, but to simply acknowledge them, and thus could put them under our control.
Jesus was rejected in his own hometown because people felt that they knew him fully and thus could not accept his role as a prophet. This simple, but profound story teaches us an essential lesson toward our spiritual growth: we must let go of our presumptions and assumptions to advance in our spiritual cultivation. What is familiar to us is comfortable because it is predictable. Yet at the same time, the familiar could be the trap that would delay or disable our spiritual growth.
My brothers and sisters in God, let us take a moment of quiet time. Let us reflect on how we respond whenever we have to face our weakness or shortcomings. Let us embrace them as parts of us and not be ashamed of them. Yet, let us pray to master them.
Blessings,
Rev. Junchol Lee