Sodom will be more tolerable: What about that Town??

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Ordinary Season: Twenty Sixth Week : Thursday*

*Gospel : Lk 10:1-12*

*First Reading : Ps 27:7-8a, 8b-9abc, 13-14*

*Responsorial Psalm : Jb 19:21-27*

*Sodom will be more tolerable: What about that Town??*

*1) History of Sodom*

Sodom and Gomorrah, notoriously sinful cities in the biblical book of Genesis, destroyed by “sulfur and fire” because of their wickedness (Genesis 19:24).

Traditional interpretations of the Bible focus on same-sex activity as the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah. However, some modern scholars argue that the sin was inhospitality, arrogance, and other sins such as adultery, dishonesty, and uncharitableness

Some modern scholarship argues that the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah was not caused by homosexuality, but rather by the inhabitants' inhospitality.

*2) More Tolerable for Sodom*

In the Gospel of the day we see a surprising statement from Jesus 

We realise the gravity of the sin of the people of Sodom and the destruction for the same 

But Jesus says, on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town 

So from this it could be concluded that the Gravity of the sin of *That Town* is more severe than Sodom 

*3) Which is that Town?*

*That Town* which is referred in today's Gospel could be the different places to which the disciples were sent by Jesus 

The Gospel does not give the name of *That Town*

This also shows that *That Town* could be found anywhere in the World, where the disciples of Jesus go to preach the Gospel

*4) The Sin of That Town*

The Gospel mentions few things, which are seen as the Sin of *That Town*

*A) Inhospitality* This is seen one of the major sins of *That Town*  

When the disciples went to preach the Gospel, people of *That Town* didn't accept them. So this is considered as the grave sin, more terrible than the people of Sodom 

*B) Those who don't love Peace*

This is another sin of *That Town* Instead of peace they love violence and destruction. Such people will face terrible judgment of God

*C) Rejection of the Kingdom of God*

This is another Sin. Rejection of the Kingdom of God, is equal to rejection of God himself 

We also find the similar views in the context of Bethsaida and Chorazin When they rejected Jesus

*5)  That Town in my Life*

*That Town* which is mentioned in today's Gospel is not far away from my life 

At times *That Town* in found within my life, with the sin of inhospitality to God, attitude of violence and destruction and rejection of God himself 

When *That Town* is found within my life, let us realise that the situation is too serious, verse than Sodon 

At times we think that the Sin of Sodom is grave, but here is another sin which is more terrible than the sin of Sodon, which is found in *That Town*

Do I belong to *That Town?*

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*