In our gospel, Jesus is obviously so frustrated at those people in the Jewish cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernum, where he often preached, for their indifference to him. Even though they saw him heal others, cast out demons, feed the hungry, and tell wonderful stories of God’s love for them, they were disinterested in him, ignored, and rebuffed him. They would not repent.
Imagine how hurt Jesus must have been. He came to them with love and compassion, mercy and forgiveness from his heavenly Father, and they rejected him. Jesus, patient and kind, wanted them to listen with faith and repent with a spirit of joy. These people needed a ‘time out’, like mischievous children need, to think and ponder their actions and then repent and begin again with a clean heart and a joyful spirit.
As time has gone on, people have continued to ignore Jesus’ mission and message. Our own parish’s patron saint, St. Margaret Mary, had a revelation from Jesus in the 1600’s in which he said: “Behold this heart which loves so much yet is so little loved.” Her response surely would have been a comfort to Jesus when she said: “I need nothing but God, and to lose myself in the heart of God.”
The warning Jesus gives to his own people in our gospel is a message for us today as well. How blessed we are to attend Mass so regularly, hear the Word of God, participate in bible studies, have opportunities to listen to podcasts, serve others, etc. Is our life in Christ reflected in our lifestyle? Do others know by our example that we are obviously followers of Christ?
And how blessed we are when we have our failings and personal spiritual meltdowns, that we can humbly turn to Jesus and ask for his mercy.
When speaking to the people of his beloved Capernaum in our gospel, he asks a question that we, too, can take to heart and reflect on this day. Jesus asks: “Will you be exalted to heaven?”
