October 06, 2017

Gospel: Lk 10:13-16
Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! So many miracles have been worked in you! If the same miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would already be sitting in ashes and wearing the sackcloth of repentance. Surely for Tyre and Sidon it will be better on the Day of Judgment than for you. And what of you, city of Capernaum? Will you be lifted up to heaven? You will be thrown down to the place of the dead.
Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me; and he who rejects me, rejects the one who sent me.”

REFLECTION:
The words of Jesus in today‘s gospel are very strong and are condemnatory. He condemns the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida. Chorazin is a small city not far from Capernaum, known as the town of Jesus. Jesus visited the city more frequently. Yet, despite of this and the miracles performed before their eyes, the inhabitants remained indifferent. On the other side of the lake of Galilee is the city of Bethsaida. Here, Jesus performed more miracles. He feed the five thousand out of five loaves and two fishes (Mk:30-44). He healed a blind man (Mk8:22-26). Same with Chorazin, the people did not react nor respond to Jesus. He was so unsuccessful. In Capernaum, Jesus stayed longer. It was his base. He was met with many oppositions. On the other side, in the cities of Tyre and Sidon, Jesus spent few times only and performed less miracles, the people repented and changed. Thus, Jesus praised Tyre and Sidon and condemned Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum.
The lesson is simple: ”To those who have more, more is expected. To those who have less, less is expected.” Let us all count our blessings received. Let us reciprocate it more proportionately. Those who were forgiven more must be more forgiving and merciful.