“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Friday, 6th October 2017,
Twenty Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
Bar 1:15-22;
Ps 78: 1-5, 8-9;
Lk 10: 13-16
We hear strong words today from Jesus against towns where he had preached extensively - Chorazin, Bethsaida and especially Capernaum. If Jesus were to visit our community today, what would he say? Would he issue a warning like the one he gave to Chorazin and Bethsaida? And how would we respond?
Wherever Jesus went he did mighty works to show the people how much God loved 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. But the people who heard the gospel here responded with indifference. Jesus rebukes them for doing nothing. Repentance is a perpetual call from Jesus and we must listen to him.
What will happen if we will not listen?
There will be a punishment and it will not come from God; punishment will originate from the outcome of our sinfulness. For example a man who had been advised not to consume alcohol, instead of listening to the admonition, persisted. Eventually he got addicted and died. There are more examples of those who don’t change their ways and received punishment that did not come from God. It originated from their own illicit actions.
Repentance demands a change of heart and way of life. God’s word is life-giving and it saves us from destruction of soul as well as body. Jesus’ anger is directed toward sin and everything which hinders us from doing the will of God. So why not repent and listen to the voice of God who always calls us to change our ways for the better? 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?
Prayer: Most high and glorious God, enlighten the darkness of our hearts and give us a true faith, a certain hope and a perfect love. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
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