But I assure you, for Tyre and Sidon; it will be more bearable for 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.”
Reflection:
Of late, it has been saddening to hear of stories of suicide by priests. Several causal factors are pointed out. The
scandal of sexual abuse has burdened the hearts of many honest priests; they find themselves viewed with mistrust
due to the failures of some priests. Another reason is the growing secularism in the world, especially in highly economically
developed nations, where the priests find their ministry having no visible impact. But they shouldn’t lose heart: Was Jesus
successful in his ministry? Today’s gospel is proof that even the Son of God himself failed in touching the hearts of Chorazin,
Bethsaida, and Capernaum! He would even shed tears for Jerusalem (Lk. 19:41-44). But what must inspire priests and religious
is that these setbacks did not deter Christ from his Fathergiven mission. As St. Teresa of Kolkata has reminded us, “we are
called not to be successful, but to be faithful.” In God’s time, the ministry will bear fruit.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2022
July 12, 2022
Gospel: Matthew 11:20-24
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 Bethsaida!
If the miracles worked in you had taken place in Tyre and Sidon, the people there would have
repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.
Published in
Daily Gospel