Matthew 11:20-24
20 Then he began to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.
20 Then he began to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.
21 "Woe to you, Chora'zin! woe to you, Beth-sa'ida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
22 But I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Caper'na-um, will you be exalted to heaven?
You shall be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24 But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."
If Jesus were to visit your community today, what would he say? Would he issue a warning like the one he gave to Chorazin and Bethsaida?
And how would you respond? Wherever Jesus went he did mighty works to show the people how much God had for them.
Chorazin and Bethsaida had been blessed with the visitation of God. They heard the good news and experienced the wonderful works which Jesus did for them. Why was Jesus upset with these communities?
The word woe can mean misfortune, calamity, distress, sorrow, sadness, misery, grief, or wretchedness.
It is as much an expression of sorrowful pity and grief as it is of dismay over the calamity and destruction which comes as a result of human folly, sin, and ignorance.
Why does Jesus lament and issue a stern warning? The people who heard the gospel here very likely responded with indifference.
Why does Jesus lament and issue a stern warning? The people who heard the gospel here very likely responded with indifference.
Jesus upbraids them for doing nothing! Repentance demands change – a change of heart and way of life.
God's word is life-giving and it saves us from destruction – the destruction of heart, mind, and soul as well as body.
Jesus' anger is directed toward sin and everything which hinders us from doing the will of God. In love he calls us to walk in his way of truth and freedom, grace and loving-kindness, justice and holiness.
Do you receive his word with faith and obedience or with doubt and indifference?
4 comments:
hi kuya,
i have good news! jared ws officially cleared of his sickness. after 2 months off med, normal pa rin lahat ng test, ecg etc. sabi ni doc, malakas ang heart nya. woohoo!
balik kami after 6 months for checkup. sana forever na to. i am so happy!!!
maraming salamat po sa prayers ninyo!!! :)
extend my thank you sa mga co-seminarians nyo dyan.
ingat po lage and God Bless You all!
How is your own community? What would he say? Would he issue a warning ?
@kuri: i am very very glad of your news about jared! thanks be to God-- but i will continue to keep him in my prayers!
@anonymous: well, there is no such thing as perfect community because each has its own kind of flaws and misgivings simply because the ones who live inside it are not saints but humans who are struggling towards holiness and the huge challenge there is to be faithful from one's faith and vows amid the flaws and imperfections of its monks and even the superiors are not spared from such flaws..... if you can read between the lines,then I have answered your question..thanks for dropping by- i do certainly appreciate yur comment!...
God bless
brother lawrence, OSB
Thank you for be honest. God bless .
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