To Jesus reproaches Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum: "Woe to you!"
Jesus reminds them that he performed his mighty deeds in their midst, before their eyes, face to face and yet they failed to allow that reality to change them, "for they had not repented."
There are no records of Jesus deeds in these places. Which reminds us as John's gospel points out, "Jesus did many other things; were they written, I suppose the world itself could not contain the books they would be written in" (Jn 21:25)
In the gospels we get the barest sketch of Jesus and his actions, enough so that we may believe according to St. John.
Which means we don't know as much about Jesus as we think. He seems to always be beyond our grasp. Also, it reminds us that we are not privy always to God's actions in others. We don't always have the inside scoop, even as disciples, nor should we presume to know more than we do about his actions in the lives of others.
As Jesus addresses these places with "Woe to you", the word "Woe" doesn't suggest blazing anger but rather sorrowful pity. Jesus had offered these men the greatest opportunity accompanied by signs and wonders of which many would have died to have seen and yet they refused him. His heart was broken for them.
In the presence of such a moment, the people chose to be indifferent, spectators, they chose to do nothing. They just did not care. Apathy and indifference reigned in their hearts. These are those that John in the book of Revelation warn us about, those who are "lukewarm" will be spit out of his mouth.
We cannot remain spectators, we have to get into the game any and every moment available. It is the only way to fight the indifference and apathy that seeks to plague us all. The pandemic of apathy sweeps the culture we must stand in fight at every chance we get, by believing and living a life of faith.
May the Eucharist be our treasure, prayer our strength, penance our purification, joy our Hallmark, and service our standard by which we conqueror apathy all the way.
No comments:
Post a Comment