Repentance demands change – a change of heart and way of life. God's word is life-giving and it saves us from destruction – the destruction of heart, mind, and soul as well as body. Jesus' anger is directed toward sin and everything which hinders us from doing the will of God. In love he calls us to walk in his way of truth and freedom, grace and loving-kindness, justice and holiness

Tuesday of the Fifteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Isaiah 7:1-9

Psalm 48:2-3a, 3b-4, 5-6, 7-8

M atthew 11:20-24 Then he began to upbraid the cities where most of his mighty works had been done, because they did not repent. (21) "Woe to you, Chora'zin! woe to you, Beth-sa'ida! for if the mighty works done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. (22) But I tell you, it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for Tyre and Sidon than for you. (23) And you, Caper'na-um, will you be exalted to heaven? You shall be brought down to Hades. For if the mighty works done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. (24) But I tell you that it shall be more tolerable on the day of judgment for the land of Sodom than for you."

Meditation by Don Schwager

If Jesus were to visit your community today, what would he say? Would he issue a warning like the one he gave to Chorazin and Bethsaida? And how would you respond? Wherever Jesus went he did mighty works to show the people how much God had for them. Chorazin and Bethsaida had been blessed with the visitation of God. They heard the good news and experienced the wonderful works which Jesus did for them. Why was Jesus upset with these communities? The word woe can mean misfortune, calamity, distress, sorrow, sadness, misery, grief, or wretchedness. It is as much an expression of sorrowful pity and grief as it is of dismay over the calamity and destruction which comes as a result of human folly, sin, and ignorance.

Why does Jesus lament and issue a stern warning? The people who heard the gospel here very likely responded with indifference. Jesus upbraids them for doing nothing! Repentance demands change – a change of heart and way of life. God's word is life-giving and it saves us from destruction – the destruction of heart, mind, and soul as well as body. Jesus' anger is directed toward sin and everything which hinders us from doing the will of God. In love he calls us to walk in his way of truth and freedom, grace and loving-kindness, justice and holiness. Do you receive his word with faith and obedience or with doubt and indifference?

"Most High and glorious God, enlighten the darkness of our hearts and give us a true faith, a certain hope and a perfect love. Give us a sense of the divine and knowledge of yourself, so that we may do everything in fulfillment of your holy will; through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Prayer of Francis of Assisi, 1182-1226)

Supplementary Reading

Seed for Sowing

Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness -  2 Corinthians 9:10

G od desires to bring you increase. He's provided you with seed so that you can invest into the lives of others. There is tremendous potential in any seed. A single seed can produce harvest of 30, 60 or 100-fold return! But that seed has to be planted. You can have a package of seeds sitting in a drawer for years and nothing will happen. But when you plant that seed in the ground, water it and tend to the weeds, that seed will begin to grow. It won't take long before the beautiful harvest is ready to be received.

Remember, you have seeds of greatness on the inside of you. God has placed within you everything you need to be successful. But, you have to step out and sow those seeds. You have to boldly declare your faith and put action behind it. Keep an attitude of expectancy and go out believing that great things are coming your way. Be obedient to His Word because those seeds you sow will produce an abundant harvest of blessing all the days of your life.

Father God, thank You for entrusting me with seed to sow. I want to be a wise steward of all Your resources. Give me wisdom and discernment to be obedient with my words and actions. Let everything I do bring honor to You. In Jesus Name. Amen.—Joel & Victoria Osteen

For archive of previous Daily Meditation postings, please visit http://his-ways-better-than-our-ways.blogspot.com/

EL SHADDAI Radio Program:  http://www.eradioportal.com/index.php?p=2&aid=1&sid=50&tid=1

GOD BLESS US ALL!

O Theos Na Mas Evlogisi!
PRAY as if everything depended on HIM. ACT as if everything depended on YOU.