DAILY GRACE
July 14, 2020, Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week of Ordinary Time
Scripture: Matthew 11:20-24
Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. ‘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. But I tell you, on the day of 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. For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.’
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Meditation
“Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done. . . ”
At the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, comparing Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum to Tyre, Sidon, and Sodom would have been like comparing a wholesome Midwestern town to the stereotypical sin city. Capernaum was a fishing town. Bethsaida was the home of the apostles Peter, Andrew, and Philip, according to the Gospel of John. It also was a fishing town. Chorazin, while not a fishing town, was like these other two Galilean towns, full of simple, hard-working people.
It’s not recorded that the people of these towns had any shocking collective sins. From what did they need to repent? We may have similar thoughts about ourselves: “I’m living a pretty good life. I don’t have any major sins to repent of.” So we continue as we are. This is exactly what Jesus is referring to. These towns witnessed many healings and heard his teaching many times. Jesus had done mighty deeds in these places. How could the residents of these towns simply have gone on with their lives as usual? They seemed unimpressed. Or perhaps they had been amazed when they saw Jesus work a cure, but then they went back to daily life as nothing had happened.
To encounter Jesus and witness his power invites us to change. The kingdom of God is already in our midst. How can we go on with business as usual? The Son of God did not come down to earth to entertain the people of Galilee with a show. His mighty deeds were not done to impress or inspire. His presence is a sign that something life-changing is happening. Jesus’ reproach seems harsh, but he knows the opportunity these towns have been given.
Prayer
Lord, I don’t want to miss the opportunities or invitations you put on my path. You aren’t here teaching and working miracles in the way you did in Galilee, but you are here working in my life. And you are working in your Church. Pass me not, O gentle Savior. Come into my life and stir me up.
Contemplation
Are there changes I am called to make in my life?