Reflections on Scripture | Friday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time

Join Msgr. Don Fischer as he reads and delivers a short reflection on today’s gospel, followed by 3 1/2 minutes of contemplative music and a closing prayer. Msgr. Don hopes that today’s reflection on the gospel will empower you to carry the Word in your heart throughout the day.

Choose either the video or audio below.

Gospel
Luke 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."

Reflection

It's clear in this passage that Jesus has come into the world to reveal who the Father is.

And when you reject His teachings, you’re rejecting who the father is, and His frustration, His anger over that is especially true in this situation because He lived in Capernaum, and Chorazin and Bethsaida were also places where He preached very, very often. And yet they were so stiff necked and so resistant. So this resistance is a great source of pain because He knows what it's going to cost them to reject His message.

Closing Prayer

Father, to feel that we know you, that we know enough to make sure that we are going to receive the reward of another life with you is never enough. Bless us with great curiosity, great openness to all that you are, all that you want us to see and to live. That's our responsibility. That's what God longs for. And we ask this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

Kyle Cross