Cursed Life

Today’s Gospel Text: Then he began to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. 21 "Woe to you, Chora'zin! woe to you, Beth-sa'ida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. 23 And you, Caper'na-um, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you." Matt 11:20-24

Reflection:  Were the woe’s that he was proclaiming, against those cities, were really a one sided act of cursing by God or was it much more than that? 

Why did Jesus have to show his indignation again these cities?

This mystery is no mystery, if one understands the mission of Jesus, his purpose of coming to us as the incarnate Son of God.

He indeed came to save us and not curse us to doom and he has already assured us: “For the Son of man came to seek and to save the lost." Luke 19:10

Then where is the problem?

The problem was with the people who did not accept him or his saving message; the gospel of salvation.

Nor did they repent of their ways of listening to their deceptive, self-centered, sinful self, instead of listening to the truth of the gospel.

It is like a heart that can still know the truth but by sheer habit, due to many years of hardening fails to respond to the truth. 

May be right now we need to pause and ask ourselves prayerfully; “whether I have been sincere and if Jesus were to reveal himself as the truth how will I respond? Will I be sincere enough to say yes to his calling?

Indeed, even the sincere ones go through a tremendous turmoil in order to respond to the constant voice of God but nevertheless we need to take that first step and promise to continue to say yes to every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.

Then our lives, irrespective whether Jesus curses us or not, will never be accursed and there is no need for Christ to state a woe on us. 

Prayer:  Lord, may I respond to every prompting of your Holy Spirit at work in me both to will and to work for your good pleasure. (cfr. Phil. 2:13)

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