Reflection for Tuesday, Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Today's Word
By
Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore
Mathew: 11:21
"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 in sackcloth and ashes."
Today's Reflection
The words of Jesus against the Galilean towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum seem harsh to our ears.
Behind the harsh woes lie the anguish of a love that is frustrated.
His rejection by many in these towns foreshadows a great rejection that lies ahead by the people of Jerusalem.
Jesus has given much to these Galilean towns.
Miracles have been done in their midst.
Yet, the response has been at best indifferent and at worst hostile.
Are all the efforts Jesus made to make present the kingdom of God among them wasted?
Jesus had spared nothing on their behalf and, yet, the return has been minimal.
Such an experience could have left Jesus disheartened.
Yet, in the passage immediately following Jesus gives thanks to God for all those who have responded to his message and work.
Jesus understood that in spite of some many setbacks and disappointments, God was at work in and through him.
Much of the seed he scattered appeared to bear no fruit, yet some of the seed would bear a rich harvest.
As people of faith we can get very discouraged by the indifference or even hostility to the gospel message.
Yet, we can be sure that the Lord continues to work in our midst, even when the signs are unpromising.
Like Jesus in the gospel reading, we can get distressed and troubled by the gospel’s lack of progress but, like him, we need never get discouraged.
Resolution
Let's resolve to know that there always remains much to give God thanks for, because God’s work is not ultimately thwarted by human resistance.
Good Morning
God bless you
Have a great Tuesday