Daily Readings - Fri Oct 06 2017
Luke
13"Woe to you, Korazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.14But it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you.15And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to the skies? No, you will go down to the depths.16"He who listens to you listens to me; he who rejects you rejects me; but he who rejects me rejects him who sent me."
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter a profound reflection on sin, repentance, and the justice of God. The first reading from Baruch is a confession of sin on behalf of the people of Israel, acknowledging their unfaithfulness and rebellion against God. The passage expresses deep regret for turning away from the Lord and failing to follow His commandments, recognizing that their suffering is a consequence of their sins. This is not merely an admission of wrongdoing but a humble acceptance of responsibility, a necessary step toward healing and reconciliation.
In the Gospel, Jesus speaks words of lament over the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum. These cities had witnessed mighty works and miracles, yet they failed to repent and turn to God. Jesus’ sorrow is palpable as He contrasts their hardness of heart with the readiness of the ancient cities of Tyre and Sidon to repent if given the same opportunities. This passage serves as a stark reminder that receiving God’s grace and mercy brings with it a responsibility to respond with faith and conversion.
Both readings call us to examine our own lives and our response to God’s presence in the world. Like the Israelites in Baruch, we must acknowledge our sins and humbly seek forgiveness. Like the cities in Luke’s Gospel, we must not take God’s blessings for granted but instead allow His grace to transform our hearts and lives. The moral lesson is clear: true faith is not merely about knowing God’s word but living it out in obedience, humility, and repentance. Let us strive to be people who hear God’s voice and respond with open hearts, lest we too fall into the trap of spiritual complacency and hardness of heart.