July 12, 2022
Tuzde for Week Fifteen for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
Listen for English
Jesus begin rebuke the towns where E don do most of His mighty works, because dem no repent. “Wahala dey for you, Chorazin! Wahala dey for you, Bethsaida!” Matthew 11:20-21a
See di kind mercy and love wey Jesus show! E rebuke di people for di towns of Chorazin and Bethsaida because E love dem, and E see say dem still hold on to dia life of sin, even though E don bring di Gospel to dem and do plenty mighty works. Dem still dey stubborn, trapped and confused; dem no gree repent, and dem no gree change dia life. For dis situation, Jesus show one wonderful kind of mercy. E rebuke dem! After di passage wey dey above, E continue talk say, “I dey tell una, on di day of judgment, e go easier for Tyre and Sidon to bear dan for una.”
One important difference dey here wey suppose help us hear wetin God fit dey tell us sometimes. E go also help us know how to deal with people around us wey dey sin as habit and dey cause pain for our life or other people life. This difference concern wetin make Jesus correct the people of Chorazin and Bethsaida with strong words. Why E do am? And wetin move Am to act like that?
Jesus correct dem with strong words because E love dem and E want make dem change. Dem no repent of their sin immediately when E invite dem and use His miracles give dem powerful witness, so E need to take another, stronger step. This new step na strong and clear rebuke wey come from love.
At first, person fit think say Jesus act like this because anger suddenly overwhelm Am. But na here the main difference dey. Jesus no rebuke dem strongly because E vex lose control. Instead, E rebuke dem because dem need that rebuke to change.
This same truth fit apply to our own life. Sometimes, we dey change our life and overcome sin because Jesus gently invite us to receive grace. But other times, when sin don get deep root, we need holy rebuke. For this kind situation, make we hear these words of Jesus as if na us E dey talk to. This fit be the very act of mercy wey we need for our life.
This one also help us understand well how to deal with other people. For example, parents fit learn plenty from am. Children go often go astray for different ways, and dem go need correction. E surely good to start by gently inviting dem and talking with dem to help dem choose wetin right. But sometimes, this one no go work, and e go need stronger action. Wetin be this “stronger action”? Anger wey person no fit control and shouting to take revenge no be the answer. Instead, holy anger wey come from mercy and love fit be the key. This fit mean strong correction or punishment. Or e fit mean to state the truth firmly and make the consequences of some actions clear. Just remember say even this one na love, and na to follow the example of wetin Jesus do. Na wetin we commonly dey call “firm love.”
Today, think well whether you need rebuke from Jesus or not. If you need am, let this Gospel of love enter your heart well. Think also about your responsibility to correct other people faults. No fear to show divine love through clear, strong correction. Na this fit be the key to help the people wey you love to love God even more.
My Lord wey get deep love, help me make I repent of my sin every day. Help me make I be instrument wey go help other people repent. Make I always receive Your words with love and share dem with di kind love wey go work best. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Main Picture: James Tissot, Public domain, through Wikimedia Commons
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