REFLECTIONS TODAY For the first time, Jesus utters these harsh words. He is addressing himself not to individuals but to towns, to communities. Later, he will also utter these words to some religious groups like the Pharisees and scribes. Why this oracle which was usually uttered by the prophets of old? Jesus is also a prophet. He speaks on behalf of God. God wants people to repent. Those who encounter Jesus in his ministry of preaching, healing, and exorcism must change the course of their lives. They should respond to his presence accordingly, as when he first opened his mouth, when he said, “Repent, for the Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt 4:17). Repentance is the name of the game when dealing with Jesus. There is no meaningful encounter with him in his words and sacrament without being changed. Gospel • Matthew 11:20-24 Jesus began to reproach the towns where most of his mighty deeds had been done, since they had not repented. “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 in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum: Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld. For if the mighty deeds done in your midst had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.” Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” St. Pauls, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.