Readings: Exodus 2:1-15; Psalm 69; Mt 11:20-24 Chorazin and Bethsaida were Jewish towns, just north of His city of residence, Capernaum that Jesus visited to preach and to perform many “mighty deeds.” Tyre and Sidon were pagan coastal cities northeast of Chorazin and Bethsaida, in modern-day Lebanon, towns known for their immoral living. Though Jesus did not spend much time in those cities, He did visit them at times.
Why was Jesus so harsh toward the towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum? Because He spent so much of His time preaching to the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” In other words, His primary mission during His public ministry was to share the Gospel with those who were descendants of Abraham and had been entrusted with the Law of Moses, the teachings of the prophets and the liturgical rites. For that reason, Jesus not only preached with perfection to these people, He also did miracle after miracle. And though there were many who did believe in Him and became His disciples, there were many others who were indifferent or who flatly refused to believe in Him.
Today, Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum could be seen as symbols of many of us who were born and raised in the faith and were given good formation by our parents and the Church. But despite being raised within the faith given to us by Christ, reject that faith and turn a blind eye to the Gospel and the Church. In other words, Jesus’ rebuke of those towns should echo today in the minds of those who, despite being given so much in regard to a good upbringing, have become indifferent about their belief and practices of their Churches.
Thus, this Gospel message comes to us for our reflection. Namely, if you are one who has started down the road of becoming more and more lukewarm in your faith, then the rebuke of these towns by Jesus should be understood to also be directed at you in love. “Much is required from the person to whom much is given …” (Luke 12:48). Therefore, to those who have been taught the faith well, much is expected. And when we fail to live up to that which is demanded of us by God out of love, a holy rebuke is exactly what we need.
·What is my response? ·Do I use my gifts in faith to share them with others? ·Does it really disturb me in Christian love?
May the Lord open my heart and mind so that I may discern, listen and practice what faith brings me about.