4th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year C

Once an old woman was told by her friend that there existed a precious stone that can be found lying round on a beach. But it lies hidden among the other stones that are found there. The only indication that it is special is that it is smooth and warm to the touch. The old woman decided to search for this precious stone. She went to the beach and started to pick up stone by stone, whatever that is cold to her touch, she would throw it back into the sea. And so it went, hour by hour, days became weeks. One evening, after an exhausting day, she finally picked up a stone which was warm to the touch but due to her fatigue and habitual action of throwing the stones back to the sea, she just threw it back without thinking.

What does this story have to do with today’s readings? The precious stone is, of course, Jesus, or in the case of the Jewish people, the promised Messiah. The old woman, represents the elders and scribes, the old woman’s friend represents the prophets and of course, the throwing of the stone back into the sea represents the rejection of Jesus.

The Jews were expecting the Messiah, the signs and prophecies has been told by various prophets, so they knew of the coming of this savior. Like the old woman, they searched among the people for this messiah, but none proved to be the one, not even John the Baptist, whom they thought it was. Like the old woman, they were already habitually “picking” and “discarding” various candidates. And when it came to Jesus, they discarded him as well.

Although Jesus performed many miracles, the elders and scribes could not accept him as their savior, even referring him as the son of Joseph, of whom they knew. Because of Jesus’ seemingly ordinary life and origin, they dismissed him as the messiah. Although they had the knowledge handed down to them, they could not see beyond what is ordinary and superficial.

The manifestation of something extraordinary through something that is ordinary is not for us to judge or decide. It is God who decides what is ordinary and what is not. In the first reading, we see Prophet Jeremiah being told that he has been chosen even before he was born. Very often, God chooses what is ordinary to shame the wise and learned.

Many people often search for extraordinary events, apparitions of Our Lady is one of the most popular events. But do we really need these events to validate our faith? Is it really necessary for our salvation? If we did not see these apparitions, will we die and go to hell? Of course not, what is important is the fruits that comes from these events. Ultimately, everything must point back to God.

Let us always keep in mind the ordinary miracles in our lives, the Eucharist, all created things and our very own life and not reject them.