Harsh Judgement for God's own People?

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Fifteenth Week : Tuesday*

*Gospel : Mt 11:20-24*

*First Reading : Is 7:1-9*

*Harsh Judgement for God's own People?*

*1) God's Judgment*

The Gospel of the day speaks about God's judgment 

*God's Judgement* is a reality. No one can escape from this reality 

The Gospel tells us about the tolerable judgement and the harsh Judgement for various towns

Why such a discrimination about it? 

*2) Tolerable judgment*

The Gospel has three names of the town. They are Tyre, Sidon and Sodom 

All these three are non Jewish cities

People of these cities had no much privileges to know about God and about salvation

Moreover they were considered by the Jewish people as sinners, who are not eligible 

In such situation if Jesus had done few great things, people would have repented and changed their lives 

Therefore these people will have less tolerable judgement

*3) Harsh Judgement*

There are also other three cities mentioned in the Gospel 

Chorazin,  Bethsaida and Capernaum

All these were Jewish territories

It means people of these cities had greater awareness about the Messiah, about salvation, about Yahweh, about faithfulness to God and about religion

Over and above Jesus had spent much of His time in performing great miracles or mighty works in these cities

Jesus also highlighted the importance of repentance and changing ones life for the sake of salvation

In spite of all these, they never repentaned and changed their lives 

They had more privileges to change their life, but simply ignored it 

That is why these will have very harsh judgement 

*4) Christians are privileged people*

As Christians we are more privileged people in many ways 

To know about God, to know about the forgiveness, to know about the service, charity, love, humility, importance of prayer, moral values and many other things 

We have great things to help us in our earthly journey. For example Bible, Word of God, Church, Sacraments, enlightened people to guide us 

There are also so many mighty works are taking place in our daily lives, which are worked by Our Lord Jesus Christ 

We who experience all these above things are really privileged people to live a good and upright life 

*5) Harsh Judgement on Christians*

As we know we are privileged people in knowing  and practicing many things 

That does not mean, that we can ignore many more things from our life 

Greater privileges means greater responsibilities

Greater responsibilities means greater accountabilities 

*From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.* Luke 12:48 

*The servant who knows the master's will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows* Luke 12:47 

As Christians, if we neglect our duties and responsibilities, we will face a severe judgment on the last day 

What type of judgment will I have on the last day?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*