The Word God Spells

Luke 10: 13-16
Bar 1:15-22 / Ps 79:1-5,8,9

…whoever rejects Me rejects the One Who sent Me.
(Luke 10:16)

Are we not rejecting Jesus Christ
If we don’t receive Him constantly?
Don’t we fail the Pearl of such great prize
When we miss this opportunity?

In today’s Gospel, Jesus rebuked and condemned the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum, because although most of His miracles were performed in these places, the people there had not repented. They were awed by the wonders they had seen, and were impressed by the words of this “great prophet”, but they remained unchanged in their sinful ways.

“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But at the judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me, and whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

Reflection

How frustrating it must have been for Jesus, that after all He had done to proclaim the coming of His Father’s Kingdom — by casting out evil spirits, cleansing lepers, healing paralytics, raising the dead, feeding thousands with a few loaves and fish, empowering His disciples, and teaching the multitudes with His parables — most of the people went away either “greatly entertained” or determined to make Him their political saviour. They failed to see His real mission — to cast out their indifference, cleanse them of their sins, heal them of their spiritual paralysis, and raise them to a higher level of consciousness — that of being God’s children under a New Covenant. The Kingdom had been preached in their hearing, but they had refused to repent.

Today’s Gospel also serves a warning for our generation. Unlike the Jews in Jesus’ time, who had no knowledge about the Trinity, faith and true repentance, we have already received so much in our strong Christian heritage. Our responsibility as the much informed followers of Christ is therefore much greater than those not as blessed. And yet, how many of us come to witness the greatest miracle that happens everyday in the celebration of the Holy Mass? How many of us are truly penitent, and desire to be cleansed and be transformed by receiving Jesus in the Eucharist? The people in Capernaum wasted a great opportunity because Jesus was in their midst. Are we letting the same opportunity pass by not receiving Him constantly?

Lord God, bless our beloved city; keep it free from the evil that greed and lust can corrupt cities like Sodom and Gomorrha. May Your Spirit reign in it for all time. Amen.