Dr. Charles Drew was the eldest of five children. He graduated from McGill University in Montreal with a degree in Medicine and Surgery. At Columbia University in New York, he developed a technique for the long-term preservation of blood plasma, for use in blood transfusions. During World War II, he became director of the nation’s blood banks, providing blood for the army and navy. In this capacity he laid the groundwork for the Red Cross procedures for collecting and banking blood. Ironically, he was black and therefore not permitted to contribute his own blood to the Red Cross Blood Bank. In 1944, he became chief of staff and medical director at Freedman’s Hospital in Washington. He was widely regarded as one of the world’s leading physicians.

In 1950, he was in a serious car accident and lost a great deal of blood. A segregated hospital in Burlington, North Carolina refused to admit him for a transfusion. He died during the long ride to a hospital that would accept blacks. A young brilliant doctor died at the age of 45 - at the height of his career - because a segregated hospital denied him the benefit of his own discovery.

The gospel today - people could not understand where Jesus, son of a poor carpenter, got his knowledge and miraculous power. People could not understand where Dr. Drew, son of black ancestors, got his knowledge and brilliant skill. Jesus was rejected by people he loved in spite of the wonderful things he did. Dr. Drew was widely rejected in spite of his remarkable achievements. Jesus, who healed and saved so many people, had his life taken from him by the very people he healed and saved. Likewise, Dr. Drew who healed and saved so many people, had his life taken from him by people he healed and saved.

God says to Ezekiel in our first reading, “I am sending you to a people who have turned against me. Whether they listen to you or not, they will know that a prophet has been among them.” Rejection...truth, goodness, compassion - all that speaks of God is frequently rejected. We live in a world that easily turns its back on God. We may look back and wonder how could the people have rejected Jesus? Or in our own time we can wonder how could people have rejected blacks? We can wonder all we want about the past but we all know that rejection and close mindedness is still very present today. As disciples of the Lord Jesus we should remember that Jesus said, “Listen, I am sending you out like sheep to a pack of wolves...many will hate you because of me.” The gospel today is strangely a very supportive and encouraging to those who are close to God - to those who embrace truth and love and life. It tells us that acceptance of the message of God is not going to come easily. Rejection is part of the game. As disciples of Jesus we hold firmly to the truth that all of life is sacred...it is not easy to hold unconditionally to the value of life, to be against the death penalty, to be against euthanasia, assisted suicide and abortion. It is not easy to be opposed to the torture of terrorists, to take a stand against genocide in the Sudan, or to sacrifice and generously support our own food banks here in Plattsburgh. There is a subtle put-down if you speak for the equality of the sexes or if you reach out to the downtrodden and the forgotten of our community. For that matter, you may well experience rejection by merely coming to church - you may well be criticized for being a person of prayer - you may be told you are a fool for helping a neighbor or giving your time to a worthwhile cause. People will tell you it is a mistake to forgive - they may well laugh at you when you are only trying to do what is good and right and loving. It is tough being a follower of Christ!

But on the other hand, it strikes me that we should all be far more alarmed if we are not experiencing any rejection, if we are not being ridiculed, if we are not being made fun of because of the faith-filled way in which we are living. If that is the case, if we are not experiencing any rejection, I wonder if we are truly living as faithful disciples of Christ? Let us take to heart the last beatitude, “Blest are you when they insult and persecute you and utter every kind of slander against you because of me. Be glad and rejoice, for your reward is great in heaven; they persecuted the prophets before you in the very same way.” When is the last time you experienced rejection or insult or ridicule because of your faith?