HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE FIFTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II. 14.07.2020.

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Readings: Isaiah 7:1-9; Psalm 48 and Matthew 11:20-24. 


WHAT NEGLIGENCE MAY COST US

 

The liturgy of today present to us an expression of Christ that portrays a condition of deep suffering from misfortune, affliction or grief on those who have seen his works and are adamant in believing in him.

 

In the gospel, “He began to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent.” He laments the painful fact that his neighbours in Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum did not respond to his message, after all the miracles they had witnessed. The gospel did not give us account of the mighty works Christ did in Chorazin and Bethsaida, but we are told something in John 21:25, “that there are also many other things that Christ did, which were not recorded, if they were to be recorded, the world itself could not contain them.” What Jesus did in Chorazin and Bethsaida are among those unwritten works. This is a good reminder that the gospels are a true account of Jesus’ life, but He did much that was not included in the gospel records. Capernaum was his own city; the people had seen and heard of the Son of God, so he mourned to see Capernaum remain as hardened as ever. These cities did not attack Christ; they did not drive him from their gates; they did not seek to crucify him; they simply disregarded him. Neglect can kill as much as persecution can, and in the penitential rite in our liturgy say, “in what I have done and in what I have failed to do…” A reminder of moments we have neglected Christ in things we ought to have done.  

 

As a result of negligence on the part of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum, that Christ said to them, woe to you, “it shall be more tolerable on the day of Judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you.” He suggests that the pagan cities of Tyre and Sodom would have been much more responsive to his presence. Therefore, the liturgy requires from us to examine where we belong. Are we among those that have become so used to Christ’ presence in the Sacraments that it has become less relevant to us? Just like the people in the cities encountered Christ, yet acted negligently, do we encounter Him through His word or Scripture and remain negligent to it? If we continue negligently, it will be more tolerable for those we consider as pagans than for us Christians. May God help us through Christ our Lord. Amen! Peace be with you!

 

Fr. Ken Dogbo, OSJ

Location: Papalanto, Nigeria

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