FIRST READING
Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5
The LORD addressed Job out of the storm and said:
Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning and shown the dawn its place For taking hold of the ends of the earth, till the wicked are shaken from its surface? The earth is changed as is clay by the seal, and dyed as though it were a garment; But from the wicked the light is withheld, and the arm of pride is shattered.
Have you entered into the sources of the sea, or walked about in the depths of the abyss? Have the gates of death been shown to you, or have you seen the gates of darkness? Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell me, if you know all: Which is the way to the dwelling place of light, and where is the abode of darkness, That you may take them to their boundaries and set them on their homeward paths? You know, because you were born before them, and the number of your years is great!
Then Job answered the LORD and said:
Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth. Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again; though twice, I will do so no more.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 139:1-3, 7-8, 9-10, 13-14ab
R. (24b) Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
O LORD, you have probed me and you know me; you know when I sit and when I stand; you understand my thoughts from afar. My journeys and my rest you scrutinize, with all my ways you are familiar.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Where can I go from your spirit? From your presence where can I flee? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I sink to the nether world, you are present there.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
If I take the wings of the dawn, if I settle at the farthest limits of the sea, Even there your hand shall guide me, and your right hand hold me fast.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
Truly you have formed my inmost being; you knit me in my mother’s womb. I give you thanks that I am fearfully, wonderfully made; wonderful are your works.
R. Guide me, Lord, along the everlasting way.
ALLELUIA
Psalm 95:8
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
Luke 10:13-16
Jesus said to them,
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would long ago have repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum, ‘Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.’ Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”
REFLECTIONS:
If Jesus were to visit your community today, what
would he say? Would he issue a warning like the one he gave to Chorazin
and Bethsaida? And how would you respond? Wherever Jesus went he did mighty
works to show the people how much God had for them. Chorazin and Bethsaida
had been blessed with the visitation of God. They heard the good news and
experienced the wonderful works which Jesus did for them. Why was Jesus
upset with these communities? The word woe is also translated as
alas.
It is as much as an expression of sorrowful pity as it is of anger. Why
does Jesus lament and issue a stern warning? The people who heard the gospel
here very likely responded with indifference. Jesus upbraids them for doing
nothing! Repentance demands change a change of heart and way of life.
God's word is life-giving and it saves us from destruction the destruction
of soul as well as body. Jesus' anger is directed toward sin and everything
which hinders us from doing the will of God and receiving his blessing.
In love he calls us to walk in his way of truth and freedom, grace and
mercy, justice and holiness. Do you receive his word with faith and submission
or with doubt and indifference?
"Lord Jesus, give me the child-like simplicity and purity of faith to
gaze upon your face with joy and confidence in your all-merciful love.
Remove every doubt, fear, and proud thought which would hinder me from
receiving your word with trust and humble submission."
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