7/18/2023 (Tuesday) Today’s gospel reading: Matthew 11:20-24
20 Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented.
21 “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.
22 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.
23 And as for you, Capernaum: Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld. For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.
24 But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”
7/18/2023 (Tuesday) Today’s gospel reflection: Matthew 11:20-24
The mighty deeds of Jesus, that is, His miracles are meant to lead people to God through repentance. Too bad, the people who witnessed the miracles did not show conversion. It is therefore understandable that Jesus felt disappointed. The people of Israel, particularly the religious leaders, failed to take advantage of the opportunity to repent.
Like the prophets in the Old Testament who denounced sinful people, Jesus did not mince His words in reprimanding the Israelites for not repenting for their sins particularly their lack of faith in Him. His harsh criticism of their spiritual blindness is a warning that a graver punishment awaits them than those who did not have the opportunity to witness His mighty deeds. Jesus would later tell the Apostles thus, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe” (John 20:29).
Jesus is the anointed king that the Israelites have been waiting for. Yet they, the Israelites, did not only reject Him; they killed Him through the cross. The warning is still true to this day. We are the modern Israelites. Are we going to reject Jesus like what the Israelites did? God is also doing mighty deeds these days in more ways than we see them. May we have the eyes of faith to recognize them and lead us to repentance.