MATTHEW 11: 20-24 GOSPEL READING AND REFLECTION ( JULY 14, 2020)
Then Jesus began to denounce the cities in which he had performed most of his miracles, because the people there did not change their ways. “Alas for you Chorazin and Bethzaida! If the miracles worked in you had taken the palace in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I assure you, for Tyre and Sidon; it will be more bearable to Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And you Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? You will be thrown down to the place of the dead! For if the miracles which were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would still be there today! But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.
POINTS OF REFLECTION
Men can be best compared to many siblings. No matter how parents are doing their best to guide them not to go wayward, many of them lost the right track not because of parent’s fault but because of their dullness and unwillingness of the heart. Sometimes parents would ask these questions, what more can I do? Did I not give them enough for this life? Confusion may even come, when several management, strategies and trials don’t work. And worse may lead to self doubt and frustrations.
Jesus had felt the same among the people of the three cities of Chorazin, Bethzaida and Capernaum. He poured out much of His time, energy and even performed lots of miracles but still couldn’t see the change of its people. In fact, with this consideration these cities were called “the evangelical triangle”. Jesus’ preaching and ministries have failed to make any difference to them. Jesus even hangs on to the question “What more I can do?” And later realized that there is no amount of effort to fill up the bottomless pits in their hearts so that Jesus put the cities in curse.
As Jesus said “it will be more bearable to Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you” reminds us to always listen and respond to the dictates of the Holy Spirit in lieu of Jesus for us to withstand on the judgment day.
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Doctor in Development Education ( Dev. Ed. D.), an all time educator as School Head and HEI Instructor.
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