A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke 10:13-16

"Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades. "Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me."

REFLECTION: "Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me."

Wherever our Lord went he did mighty works, preached and taught his disciples and showed them how to pray. How many people actually believed that Jesus was the Son of God? How many people listened to Jesus because of the novelty, his gift of speaking and /or to see the miracles witnessed by so many?

Jesus was not angry at the people, nor was he promising physical force, or repercussions if the people did not listen to him. He was simply telling them what awaited them if they did not change. He was lamenting the fact that inspite of all he had done for the people, the many miracles, the mercy and kindness and compassion extended to them, the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida were headed to Hades. Jesus was showing them the need to repent, to change their behavior and instead they were indifferent and they made the decision to stay in their sinful state. They did not ask God for His graces for their spiritual wants.

Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, to meet his cross. He cried over the loss of these souls because they were stiff necked and stubborn and set in their ways. The Jews had resisted and refused to follow Jesus. The Gentiles were open to repentance and conversion. Jesus had to go to Jerusalem......to meet his cross

How many of us cry over our children who are lost in sin and show no signs of repenting or changing? How many of us cry over the treatment of our good priests, how many of us spend so much time praying for our needs that we forget we have an obligation to bring God to the lost? How many of us go out and feed the homeless, visit the prisons, gift our employees with bonuses or a fair salary? Have God's blessings shown in us a greater love and compassion for others?

How many times do we hear a moving homily and the time it takes to leave the church and go to the parking lot, all has been forgotten or lost.? How many times do we gather at the piazza and gossip about this and that and they ? How many times do we extend a hand to the person who seems lost or is lonely?

PRAYER: Dearest Jesus, you still cry over our souls . Please shower us with graces to live a life of true repentance with love, compassion and kindness. Amen

Pray for our priests

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