Friday 4th October 2019.
Read Baruch 1:18-22, Psalm 79 and Luke 10:13-16.
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you,
Bethsaida! For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon,
they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.” (Luke
10:13)
Driving through the streets of our
country, one cannot but notice the many funny names of churches scattered all
over the place. Even from the titles of these churches, there appears to be an
emphasis on “miracles.” Some even have the slogan: “Come and receive your
miracle” or “Your miracle awaits.”
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus is not
happy with Bethsaida and Chorazin because despite the miracles that happened in
those towns, the people remained stiff-necked and refused to repent. Jesus was
expecting a change of heart and a change of life to follow from the miracles but
the reverse was the case.
In our first reading this morning
Baruch acknowledges the sinfulness of Israel as a nation reminding the people
that their present calamities are a direct result of their disobedience to
God’s commands.
Dear friends, repentance from sin is
the ultimate miracle. If we must take from God, it is only right that we give
back to God. What does God want from us? The holiness of life, purity of heart,
truthfulness, righteousness, virtue, obedience, repentance from our bad habits
and vices.
Today, we celebrate St. Francis of
Assisi. St. Francis renounced all he had, gave out all his riches to the poor
and went to become a monk. His father disowned him but even as a poor monk, he
was the happiest man on earth. He was such a good preacher that even animals
would gather to listen to him preach.
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, inspire me
to serve you diligently like St. Francis of Assisi. Amen.
*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Friday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time,
Memorial of St. Francis. Bible Study: Baruch 1:18-22, Psalm 79 and Luke
10:13-16).
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