The first reading from Isaiah continues the sad story of the infidelity of the people. It ends with the incredibly prophetic and wise conclusion: "Unless your faith is firm
you shall not be firm!"

Jesus must have been so sad at the rejection he found in the towns where he worked so many signs of healing and mercy. Why is it that all the people didn't embrace him with joy? We get the picture from the rest of the gospel. The highly "religious" people - the scribes and Pharisees - simply didn't accept an anointed one who was so kind and merciful. Even though that is the image of God shared with them in the Hewbrew scriptures, they hadn't opened their hearts to compassion and forgiveness. In their self-righteous judgementalism, they rejected Jesus.

The good news for us today comes with a challenge. We are invited to welcome Jesus into our heart with joy. He is our Savior. He loves us, knowing our infilelities and our pride. His way is to win over our hearts. He knows we can be rebellious and independent and pick and choose which message of his we will let shape our lives, yet he still has affection for us and desires daily to draw us to himself.

Today could be an invitation to examin how deeply we let the message of Jesus fill us. Are we judgemental? Are with harsh with others we see as sinning or failing or simply anoying us? Have we divided our world into "us" and "them"? This can be a day when we can give thanks and praise for Jesus' mercy toward us and beg for the grace to open our heart to his love. It can be the day we can beg, "Make my heart like yours, dear Jesus. I want you to soften me and teach me compassion and give me a loving heart like your."

Lord, allow us to be people, villages and towns, who welcome you with joy and live your good news of unconditional love for everyone.