Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Will you be exalted to heaven?”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 10:13-16

 

Jesus said to them, “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, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. And as for you, Capernaum, ‘Will you be exalted to heaven? You will go down to the netherworld.’ Whoever listens to you listens to me. Whoever rejects you rejects me. And whoever rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

 

Today’s gospel reading probably has a very powerful punch for many of us.  Jesus is fairly stern in His message, but at the same time He calls us into action.  What does it take to be exalted into heaven, but to unconditionally accept Jesus Christ and his mission.  We too are called to go among the people and preach his message, not necessarily in words, but truly in our actions.  What is it that we are teaching those around us?  Are we giving them clear guidance or do we send mixed signals?  Remember, whoever listens to you, sees the message of God.  So often our actions speak much loader then any words.  People judge us based on what we do and not necessarily on what we say.  If we lead by bad example, then we tell others it is okay to do the same.  They believe that this is the message from Christ himself.  If we truly humble ourselves before Christ and take that same humility forth into our community, then people will hear the true message from God.  You need to ask yourself some very simple questions.  If Jesus were to visit our community, what would he say?  Would he be happy about what he sees?  If He visited your school, would he praise the activities of the students?  If he visited your church, would He complement us or, would He issue the same warnings he gave Chorazin and Bethsaida? 

 

Jesus’ mission was to go out to the communities and present the Word of Good.  He traveled from community to community preaching the Good News, healing the sick and performing miracles before the people.  To initiate change in our community, we must be open to the message and allow the grace of God to work in us.  The Gospels are life-giving words that save us from eternal destruction.  They bring us closer to God.  The Gospel is the light which will leads us to the narrow gate of heaven.  Through the words of Christ, we can find salvation.  Jesus was upset because Chorazin and Bethsaida ignored his teaching.  His anger was directed at their sinful way and the lack of concern for their salvation.  He was angry out of love, not hatred.  He loved them so much the He does not want them to destroy their souls.  He wants all of us to join him in the Kingdom of Heaven.  Do you hear the word of God or are you indifferent?  Take time today to reflect on that question.  Take time today to decide whether you will put his words into action.  It is time to get up and hear the call.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

My Heavenly Father, open my ears to hear your word.

Give me the strength to put your words into action.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon