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.