26th Week in Ordinary Time – Jerome
1st Reading: Job 38:1, 12-21; 40:3-5
The LORD addressed Job out of the storm and said: Have you ever in your lifetime commanded the morning and shown the dawn its place for taking hold of the ends of the earth, till the wicked are shaken from its surface? The earth is changed as is clay by the seal, and dyed as though it were a garment; But from the wicked the light is withheld, and the arm of pride is shattered. Have you entered into the sources of the sea, or walked about in the depths of the abyss? Have the gates of death been shown to you, or have you seen the gates of darkness? Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell me, if you know all: Which is the way to the dwelling place of light, and where is the abode of darkness, that you may take them to their boundaries and set them on their homeward paths? You know, because you were born before them, and the number of your years is great! Then Job answered the LORD and said: Behold, I am of little account; what can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth. Though I have spoken once, I will not do so again; though twice, I will do so no more.
Gospel: Lk 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.”
“DO NOT HARDEN YOUR HEARTS” Jesus imagines what the response would have been there if he had preached and performed miracles in cities other than the ones that witnessed his mighty deeds. The actual towns and cities that witnessed his call to conversion, accompanied by signs of God’s presence in their midst remain indifferent and unmoved by them. This could be a frustrating experience for any missionary. When we become too familiar with the missionary, his origin, family, history and so on, there is always a tendency not to take seriously, the message he brings. At times pride could also influence one’s response to the Gospel message. When one is full of himself and expects the preacher to praise him, extol his virtues and acknowledge his worth then he risks remaining impermeable. Jesus invites us to humbly pay heed to the call to constant conversion and not harden out hearts to his voice.
Prayer – Lord, remove the spirit of pride from us and make us humble before your word, that we follow the path of conversion and reconciliation with you.
DAILY GOSPEL 