BY: Brod. Romeo Delima
We do not read of any great public and scandalous sins being committed in these cities, they did not scourge or crucify Jesus; they did not clamor for His blood. There were very many good people living there, many believed in Him. From these cities Christ selected His greatest Apostles: Peter, John, Andrew, James, and Phillip.
What drew down those terrible words? It would seem that in the beginning they listened with eagerness to the Divine word spoken to them; but alas! They did not continue. In spite of the miracles and His curing the sick, they gradually became indifferent, hardened their hearts against Him. Very many of the inhabitants did not profit by the special favours which they received, they resisted His grace and would not be converted to Him.
If we would be asked to name those who are favoured with the intimate and familiar friendship of Jesus, we would unhesitatingly name the priests, the religious communities, and some rich pious people. Think again. We all are favoured. And the choice was His: “I have chosen you, you have not chosen Me.”
We have been favoured like the people of Capharnaum with His real presence in our very midst. Jesus is so near us! Jesus is even dwelling under the same roof. Every morning He invites us to the supreme union with Himself, during which we are heart to heart with Him Who has chosen us and called us and protected us and favoured us and caressed us, and given us the privilege of consecrating ourselves to Him. Special favours give no absolute security- the most favoured maybe wanting, hence there is possibility of future woe even for the soul specially favoured.
The Lord warns us that to neglect His grace, to neglect the instructions and inspiration sent by Him which come to us through so many different channels, is to expose ourselves to the woe spoken against Capharnaum, and to a judgment more severe than that given to public sinners.
Let us then keep in our hearts that holy fear which is the beginning of wisdom. Let us pray for the gift of holy fear. How have we profited? Have we reason to fear because of the responsibility that it carries? Only those who turn away from Him will not profit from the favours. The gift is infinitely more precious than the danger is pressing. We must be thankful for the grace, and fear lest we be found wanting: but more gratitude than fear. Let us remember that He Who has given us the favours, the graces, the privileges, can also give us the grace to profit by them.
Gratitude is the memory of the heart.
Of the many greatly favoured by God
Of the many greatly favoured by God
We do not read of any great public and scandalous sins being committed in these cities, they did not scourge or crucify Jesus; they did not clamor for His blood. There were very many good people living there, many believed in Him. From these cities Christ selected His greatest Apostles: Peter, John, Andrew, James, and Phillip.
What drew down those terrible words? It would seem that in the beginning they listened with eagerness to the Divine word spoken to them; but alas! They did not continue. In spite of the miracles and His curing the sick, they gradually became indifferent, hardened their hearts against Him. Very many of the inhabitants did not profit by the special favours which they received, they resisted His grace and would not be converted to Him.
If we would be asked to name those who are favoured with the intimate and familiar friendship of Jesus, we would unhesitatingly name the priests, the religious communities, and some rich pious people. Think again. We all are favoured. And the choice was His: “I have chosen you, you have not chosen Me.”
We have been favoured like the people of Capharnaum with His real presence in our very midst. Jesus is so near us! Jesus is even dwelling under the same roof. Every morning He invites us to the supreme union with Himself, during which we are heart to heart with Him Who has chosen us and called us and protected us and favoured us and caressed us, and given us the privilege of consecrating ourselves to Him. Special favours give no absolute security- the most favoured maybe wanting, hence there is possibility of future woe even for the soul specially favoured.
The Lord warns us that to neglect His grace, to neglect the instructions and inspiration sent by Him which come to us through so many different channels, is to expose ourselves to the woe spoken against Capharnaum, and to a judgment more severe than that given to public sinners.
Let us then keep in our hearts that holy fear which is the beginning of wisdom. Let us pray for the gift of holy fear. How have we profited? Have we reason to fear because of the responsibility that it carries? Only those who turn away from Him will not profit from the favours. The gift is infinitely more precious than the danger is pressing. We must be thankful for the grace, and fear lest we be found wanting: but more gratitude than fear. Let us remember that He Who has given us the favours, the graces, the privileges, can also give us the grace to profit by them.
Gratitude is the memory of the heart.
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