Jesus began to upbraid the cities

 

We need repentance to see God’s doing among us.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Tuesday of 15th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, July 18th, 2023
Texts: Exodus 2:1-15a; Psalm 69:3.14.30-31.33-34; Matthew 11:20-24

Today Jesus challenges us for failure to repent. We read, "Jesus began to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent." Why does Jesus challenge us for not repenting? It is because without repentance we will not know when salvation comes. John the Baptist came before Him for this purpose, that we might acknowledge Him, our salvation, when He comes. Without repentance we cannot be aware of God’s presence in our midst. 

Peoples of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum could not see that the time of salvation has come through Jesus Christ. Their refusal to repent blinded them from seeing the salvation that has come to them through Him. Prophet Isaiah experienced the same thing in the life of God’s people. God spoke through Him thus: "I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth; do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert" (43:19). We cannot see the glory of God in our lives, unless we repent. 

We need repentance to see God’s doing among us

It is also clear in today’s first reading that we need repentance to see God’s doing among us. The people could not see that Moses was there to fight for them. He fought and killed their enemy and yet they could not see that he loved them. The people said to him, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Do we know how painful it is when people see evil in your good intention?  They did not just reveal his secret but also hurt his feelings. 

Failure to repent does not just prevent us from being aware of hour of salvation but also eternal life. It leads man to Hades. We read, "And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day." It is now time for us to repent. Repentance is to turn away from evil and to keep God's word. It is also to give up something. We have to turn away from evil and give up what is contrary to God’s will. 

Prayer 

God Almighty Father, touch our hearts to grasp the mystery of Your works and open our eyes to see them, that we may repent and turn to You wholeheartedly. Amen 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke