REJECTED AND MORTIFIED FOR JESUS

Divine Appeal Reflection - 221

Today, consider in Divine Appeal 221: "You will be rejected and mortified but do not be afraid!"

To follow our Adorable Jesus is to embrace a life that contradicts the world’s standards. He has warned that those who remain faithful to Him will face rejection and mortification. This is not a possibility—it is a certainty. The saints understood this well. They did not seek suffering, yet they accepted it as a seal of divine favor. True discipleship demands a heart willing to endure humiliation, opposition, and even abandonment for the sake of Christ (cf. CCC 618). In today’s world, where sin is normalized and truth is ridiculed, modern-day martyrdom often takes the form of social exclusion, professional ruin, or legal persecution for standing with Christ.

History echoes with the courage of those who bore rejection for the love of God. St. John Fisher and St. Thomas More chose execution rather than compromise their fidelity to Christ’s teachings. St. Maximilian Kolbe stepped forward to embrace death in place of another, living out the Gospel’s highest call to love. St. Teresa of the Andes endured scorn from her own family as she pursued her vocation, showing that even within our closest circles, fidelity to Christ invites suffering. These saints were not crushed by rejection; rather, they allowed it to purify their hearts, fixing their gaze on eternity (cf. Romans 8:35-39).

Our Adorable Jesus reassures us, "Do not be afraid." Fear is the enemy’s weapon, tempting us to silence the truth or shrink back from our mission. But those who walk in the light must expect the world’s hostility, for the world first rejected Him (cf. John 15:18-19). Priests who are defamed for sharing the gospel, parents who are mocked for training their children in holiness, and employees who are fired for upholding Christian principles are just a few examples of the difficulties that many people today experience because they practice their faith. Nevertheless, God's grace allows mankind to persevere through all hardships. We must accept the cross of rejection because it leads to the victory of heaven, just as St. Paul enjoyed suffering for Christ (cf. Philippians 1:29).

Suffering is the furnace in which holiness is formed. The saints turned rejection into an act of love rather than just enduring it. Christ calls us to follow this path, not with resentment but with delight, understanding that no pain suffered for His sake is ever in vain. Choosing truth over convenience, sticking to our principles when it means losing everything, and loving even those who persecute us are all examples of everyday, unseen sacrifices that constitute martyrdom in the modern era. Let us walk this path boldly, knowing that in every rejection, we are being conformed to the One who was rejected first (cf. 2 Timothy 2:12).

Prayer

Our Adorable Jesus, grant us the courage to embrace rejection for Your sake. When the world turns against us, let us stand firm in love. Strengthen our hearts to suffer joyfully, offering all for Your glory. In our trials, may we find our peace in Your real presence in the Blessed Sacrament. 

Sr. Anna Ali of the Most Holy Eucharist, intercede for us.