Gospel Reflection For The 16th day of July in the year of Our Lord, 2024
Gospel
Mt 11:20-24
20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein were done the most of his miracles, for that they had not done penance.
21 Woe to thee, Corozain, woe to thee, Bethsaida: for if in Tyre and Sidon had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in you, they had long ago done penance in sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I say unto you, it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the day of judgment, than for you. 23 And thou Capharnaum, shalt thou be exalted up to heaven? thou shalt go down even unto hell. For if in Sodom had been wrought the miracles that have been wrought in thee, perhaps it had remained unto this day. 24 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
It seems incredible that anyone could see Jesus and not fall to the ground in awestruck repentance. Yet, especially in the region where He grew up, the people did not recognize Him. He was just the carpenter's son, from a poor family. It seems unthinkable that people would act that way toward God, physically present. Yet, we do it every Sunday. Perhaps there are one or two of my readers who approach the Eucharist with the full mental, physical and emotional state that would be proper of one approaching God.... but human nature is fairly universal in taking such things for granted.
Imagine, just for a moment, if we could see the reality... Jesus Christ, full present, God, giving us His flesh and blood to eat and drink! It is not something we can even comprehend. If we saw the Eucharist in truth, we would not be able to withstand it. We would faint, we would fall to the ground weeping... and how many of us could actually eat the bread and drink the wine if we could perceive its true spiritual nature? None of us would feel worthy. Few, if any, could even approach the altar being so possessed by fear. The Bibles states that man could not see God and live. We see God at every Holy Mass, but He veils Himself so as not to overwhelm our weak and frail human nature with the majestic, unfathomable power of His divinity.
We might think that if we saw the living Jesus we would run to Him in repentance as did Saint Mary Magdalene. But, at least weekly, we have that very opportunity. Jesus is truly present in the confessional. The priest stands “in the person of Christ.” The man hears our confession, but it is God who forgives. How often do we put off Reconciliation? Do we realize that we are talking to Jesus and the He will absolve us of our sins?
The Holy Catholic Church makes the Sacraments of God so easy for us. We are given daily opportunities to encounter Jesus truly and physically. It is so easy though, that we too often take them for granted. The difference between the great saints whose lives we read about and you and me is that very thing. They did not take the Sacraments for granted. The reality of the real presence of Jesus through His Church led them to lives of devotion and deep, spiritual prayer. If just for a moment before “going through the motions” we pause to consider what is truly happening in the Sacraments, it may change everything.... perhaps even a reprobate like me can obtain a small measure of holiness... one day... if I don't give up.
Judson Carroll is the author of several books, including his newest, A Daily Catholic Devotional, Reflections on the Daily Mass Readings July-December, 2024 It is Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D3ZTXQB4
and
Confirmation, an Autobiography of Faith. It is also Available in paperback on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C47Q1JNK
His new podcast is The Uncensored Catholic https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-uncensored-catholic