Holyrood Church 715 West 179 Street, Upper West side Manhattan, USA, 212-923-3770

Do we see the many wonders Jesus is working in our world and our lives?

 

 

Reading: Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. Matthew 11:20.

 

Good morning, happy Tuesday, and many blessings my dear family.

 

Today’s Gospel (Matthew 11:20-24) is a difficult one to read. Jesus’ instruction to his disciples is pretty disturbing Jesus denounces the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida for refusing to believe in him despite the wonders they had seen him work. Jesus tells his disciples that he has not come to bring peace. Rather he has come to bring the sword. He also says that he has come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against a mother-in-law. I wonder if he also plans to do the same for father-in-laws and son-in-laws?

 

Clearly Jesus is furious with the people of Bethsaida and Chorazin. After seeing the wonders, he had worked in their midst, it seems that they immediately should have repented. However, they did not! They simply went on about their evil deeds. Clearly, they were not interested in changing their lifestyle nor had any fear of God! 

 

I wonder if Jesus is ever tempted to “denounce” us for not recognizing or appreciating the wonders he is working in our lives and in our world? It is so easy to become jaded. Do we see the many wonders Jesus is working in our world and our lives? Do we even look for them? Or are we so anesthetized with our daily routine that our minds, eyes and hearts are closed to the many wonders in our world? If so, how sad that is! There is so much goodness and beauty in people and in our world. However, we need to have open eyes, minds, and hearts to truly see all this goodness! 

 

Jesus reminds us that our actions have consequences, and that, while God never tires of sending us messengers of his power and mercy, we remain free to accept or not this message. I thank God for those who brought me the good news of the Gospel and pray to be always aware of his presence in my public space.

 

Jesus seems to expect results in his mission. So, there is condemnation for the pride and arrogance which blocks the hearing of his mission. To human weakness and struggle Jesus shows compassion and a divine breadth of understanding; to pride and hypocrisy he speaks strongly, as in these few words to the cities he knew well.

 

If my prayer is real, I will meet not only the ‘gentle Jesus, meek and mild’ but will be challenged by the vision of Jesus that is greater than mine. Jesus challenges or confronts us when we do not take responsibility for facing the truth and justice of the situations, we find ourselves in each day. I allow myself to look at Jesus in this reading in the light of my personal experience of being with those who challenge me to work at being my best self.

 

Today, I invite you to keep your eyes and your heart open and awake. If we do so, we will see many “small” miracles and great beauty! What a wondrous gift to behold! Be alert! Be attentive!

 

Blessings,

 

Fr. Luis+

Date news: 
Tuesday, July 13, 2021 - 09:00

Ministry at the time of Coronavirus (Covid 19): Prevent, cure and accompany

Now we have to shape what some have started calling; The Church at Home. Although I keep asking myself; What do those who do not have a home do? For this reason, at the same time, I am declaring today in our Holyrood Church a Lenten day of prayer, fasting and reading the Bible in the Time of the Coronavirus.

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