Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum: Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the nether world. For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
REFLECTION
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
(Matthew 11:20-24)
St. Kateri Tekakwitha's mother was a Christian Algonquin woman who was captured by the Mohawks. Kateri's parents and brother perished during a smallpox epidemic in the village. She bore scars from the disease and her eyesight was impaired by the illness.
Kateri was taken in by her aunt, her father's sister. She faced mistreatment due to her appearance. At the age of thirteen, she was engaged to a young boy, as was customary in the tribe. However, Kateri refused to marry, declaring, "I can have no spouse but Jesus."
A peace treaty was established between the French and the Mohawks, permitting Jesuit missionaries to evangelize among the Mohawks. At eighteen, she was baptized as a Catholic. Consequently, some tribal leaders disapproved of the Jesuits, known as "blackrobes," and began persecuting Catholic Christians.
Amid the persecution, Kateri left her tribe and journeyed 200 miles to the Mission of Saint Francis Xavier, a Catholic native settlement. There, she devoted herself to prayer, fasting, and penance. She stated, "I will willingly abandon this miserable body to hunger and suffering provided my soul may have its ordinary nourishment."
Kateri Tekakwitha passed away on Holy Thursday, April 17, 1680, at the age of 24. She was beatified by Saint Pope John Paul II on June 22, 1980, and canonized by Pope Benedict XVI on October 21, 2012.
St. Kateri Tekakwitha listened to His voice and opened her heart. She desired Jesus alone as her spouse and completely dedicated her life to Him.
Let us pray for all priests to spread God's Word to all peoples.
