REFLECTIONS TODAY
I had the chance to set foot in Chorazin during a visit to the Holy Land. There is a synagogue for the villagers’ worship, and there are some houses, but nothing of consequence has remained in this place. In Jesus’ time, the fishing towns of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum in Galilee were miniscule compared to the big cities like Tyre and Sidon in Phoenicia. But they had the privilege of having Jesus preach and do miracles in their area. However, Jesus reproaches these towns for not having repented. The inhabitants feel “exalted” to have a prophet among them; after all, they are God’s chosen people, unlike the pagan inhabitants of Tyre and Sidon. Still, they do not give the proper response to the message of Jesus, which is metanoia or turning away from sin and turning to God. This shows that no one is immune from spiritual pride. We should therefore watch out lest the feeling of superiority hinders our reception of the Gospel.
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 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).*