HOMILY FOR 15TH TUESDAY OF ORDINARY TIME: YEAR A
HOMILY THEME: WOE TO CHORAZIN!
BY: Bishop Gerald M Musa
As the elders wisely put it, “If a child does not hear the drumbeat of advice, he will dance to the rhythm of regret.” The proverb is a vivid reminder that unresponsive people often learn the hard way. Jesus was disappointed with the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida, where He preached and worked many miracles. They were amazed by His wonderful works, but they did not repent. He was disappointed with their calm and indifferent attitude towards the Gospel.
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They were so preoccupied with the pursuit of pleasure and wealth that they had little or no time to renew their spiritual lives. Parents, teachers, leaders, and preachers can understand how Jesus felt. Nothing is as painful as investing in children, students, followers, and listeners who are not responsive, productive, or appreciative. Jesus upbraided the people of these cities for their hardness of heart and for making themselves morally numb. They wasted the opportunities offered to them for repentance.
Their moral sickness is impenitence, another word for refusing to repent. The Catholic Catechism mentions impenitence as one of the sins against the Holy Spirit—and final impenitence as a deliberate refusal to repent or be remorseful about sin, and resisting any opportunity of grace even in the face of death. Jesus lambasted them for taking the mercy and compassion of God for granted.
Reflecting on our lives, we see how God has been patient, merciful, and kind to us. His mercy and compassion should lead us towards penitence, which is sincere sorrow for our sins and a willingness to change for the better.
Do we always remember that to whom much is given, much is expected?
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