Isaiah 7:1-9
Psalm 47(48):2-8
Matthew 11:20-24
OUR PRIVILEGE AS CHRISTIANS CALLS US TO A GREATER RESPONSIBILITY
The responsibility associated with receiving great privileges is a recurring theme in various contexts in sacred scriptures. The prophet Isaiah renounces the evil deeds of the alliance of the northern kingdom with other nations. We need not go into the debaucheries of Tyro and Sidon or Sodom and Gomorrah. Still, Jesus says the final judgment will go better for them than with the towns of Bethsaida and Chorazin.
Faith is an acknowledgment and acceptance of God’s will in all circumstances. We need to draw strength from faith, positioning it as the foundation and culmination of spiritual life. Lack of faith is regarded as a barrier to pleasing God and the consequence is tragic.
Additionally, the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum faced admonishment from Jesus for their rejection of his teachings despite being the locations of his early ministry and numerous miracles. Faith and prayers play a vital role in one’s spiritual and moral integrity.
Notably, the gospel stresses the consequences of communal rejection of Christ’s teachings, pointing out that such actions can lead to detrimental outcomes for entire communities. The contrast between righteousness and sin is highlighted as a key determinant of a community’s prosperity, as evidenced by the prophesied downfall of the aforementioned cities.
The reciprocal relationship between faith and fear is underscored, echoing the idea that unwavering belief in God is essential for all Christians to fulfill their roles effectively thereby emphasizing the significance of faith in both the personal and communal spheres, suggesting that one’s faith is fundamental to the establishment and impact within society.
May this scripture passage encourage us to plumb the depths of Christianity and the person of Jesus who infinitely loves us and desires our salvation
Fr Joseph Osho
