Jesus said to them,
“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,
sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon
at the judgment than for you.
And as for you, Capernaum, ‘Will you be exalted to heaven?
You will go down to the netherworld.’
Whoever listens to you listens to me.
Whoever rejects you rejects me.
And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
Lectio (Reading)
Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.Meditatio (Reflecting)
Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.
Oratio (Responding)
Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.Jesus is talking here to the people of the cities that he has visited. He did miracles in all of these cities. Those miracles should be all that is needed to convert people to faith in Christ, but alas Humans are stiff necked. He did many miracles in Chorazin and Bethsaida, and they did not repent, He did far less in Tyre and Sidon, and yet many did. But he did the most in Capernaum and he is lamenting that the incredible blessing that he has poured out on them is not catching more fish.
Capernaum, is where Jesus always retired to. It is the place of Peter’s home, and many of the disciples as well. He has many of his closest followers here, and he is telling them that because he has done so much for them that they have a much higher calling, and that they have to repent themselves, and then be sent out (apostles) to the world to spread his message. If they do not, then they will be in the “woe” category during the final judgement.
This to applies to us as well. To those of us that have faith and understand Jesus’s teachings, much more is required of us as well. Once you know Jesus, you cant just go back to doing things like you used to. You are called to something higher. Truth makes a claim on you, and you must respond, You either agree, and change your life, or you reject it, and dont, but indifference is not possible. So I ask you today, If you truly believe that Jesus Christ is in fact “the way, the truth, and the life”, What is your response? You have to decide one way or the other, no more riding the fence.
Contemplatio (Contemplating)
Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.Resolutio (Resolving)
Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.Oh Lord, help me today to fully embrace your message, and your teachings, so that I can go out into all the world and proclaim your truth, Amen.