Image: Freestuff.zip
Reading today’s gospel, there are two particular biblical understandings that greatly assist us in hearing the Word of Gd. First: Bethlehem, Nazareth and Capernaum. What do these three cities have in common? Many answers of course, yet it seems that all three were towns where Jesus lived during his life time. These were cities he call “home.” Second: “Woe.” What is the biblical meaning ascribed to this word that Jesus uses on several occasions while he is on his mission? Woe was understood to convey this meaning: “How terrible for you.” How horrible for you.”
In the words of Matthew in the gospel, Jesus is very clear. There are high bars established for several cities: Chorazin, Bethsaida, Tyre, Sidon and even Jesus’s later home town, Capernaum. Because so much good had been done in Chorazin and Bethsaida and no repentance for sinful ways “Woe to you,” Jesus said. Tyre and Sidon, he tells them, sinned and had not repented. Had they been witness to the good in Chorazin and Bethsaida, they would have repented long ago. And then there is the special admonition to Capernaum, his home town: “You will go down to the nether world.” He tells his hometown folks that had the “mighty deeds” done there been experienced in Sodom, the city would still be there. Judgement day would will be “more tolerable” for Sodom than for Capernaum!
These experiences Matthew recalls for us should make all of us stop and listen to the movements of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. How many times have you heard of thought this phrase: “Count your blessings”? Indeed most of us know we have had difficult times in our lives. However, most of us can look at our lives and number almost countless blessing ... just starting with the simple things of life.
The Word of God for us today is clear and, perhaps for some, a frightening reality. Has the sinfulness in life developed a heart so hardened that we are not impacted by the life of Christ presented to us so often in sermons, in readings, in stories and in our own personal experiences of our soul? These words of Jesus from Matthew surely stand as a reminder to us that there will be a day of final evaluation as we stand before God. We know we will be asked about the impact of Jesus' "mighty deeds" in our lives!
In the words of Matthew in the gospel, Jesus is very clear. There are high bars established for several cities: Chorazin, Bethsaida, Tyre, Sidon and even Jesus’s later home town, Capernaum. Because so much good had been done in Chorazin and Bethsaida and no repentance for sinful ways “Woe to you,” Jesus said. Tyre and Sidon, he tells them, sinned and had not repented. Had they been witness to the good in Chorazin and Bethsaida, they would have repented long ago. And then there is the special admonition to Capernaum, his home town: “You will go down to the nether world.” He tells his hometown folks that had the “mighty deeds” done there been experienced in Sodom, the city would still be there. Judgement day would will be “more tolerable” for Sodom than for Capernaum!
These experiences Matthew recalls for us should make all of us stop and listen to the movements of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. How many times have you heard of thought this phrase: “Count your blessings”? Indeed most of us know we have had difficult times in our lives. However, most of us can look at our lives and number almost countless blessing ... just starting with the simple things of life.
The Word of God for us today is clear and, perhaps for some, a frightening reality. Has the sinfulness in life developed a heart so hardened that we are not impacted by the life of Christ presented to us so often in sermons, in readings, in stories and in our own personal experiences of our soul? These words of Jesus from Matthew surely stand as a reminder to us that there will be a day of final evaluation as we stand before God. We know we will be asked about the impact of Jesus' "mighty deeds" in our lives!
