the two paths // 2011.07.12

Click here for this day's Bible readings.

Today's Mass readings gives us two paths we can choose when God calls us -- the path Moses took and the path the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum took despite Jesus' mighty deeds for them.

Moses saw an Egyptian striking his kinsmen and felt strongly enough about it to kill the Egyptian. It may be because his Hebrew blood boiled at the site of a kinsmen being beaten, or maybe he just doesn't want someone being pounded in front of him. I don't know, but the fact is he killed someone, hid the body and even ran away like a criminal trying to escape the cops.

Then we have the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. They're not Tyre and Sidon, nor are they Sodom and Gomorrah, and yet Jesus tells that it would be more tolerable for them than Chorazon, Bethsaida and Capernaum.

We all know what the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were like, yet why would it be more tolerable for them? Moses and the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum did something wrong, yet how come Moses became one of the greateset prophets in history, and the latter folks prophesied to go to the netherworld?

Fast forward into Moses' life and we see someone who recognized his sin, someone who repented. When God came to Moses, we see humility and complete obedience. We see a changed person.

Contrast to Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum where God Himself went into their midst, preached and did mighty deeds. Yet they refused to recognize their faults and repent. They may have completely refused to believe Jesus, or they may have believed Him and just refused to change their lives. I don't know, but the fact is they refused Him who has done undeniable wonders in their midst.

Scripture tells all of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23), so we're pretty much on the same boat as Moses and populace of the three cities. But what path do we take? Do we become like Moses who repented and did God's work? Or do we become like the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum who refused Jesus into their lives despite Jesus' personal invitation?

It's not primarily how big our sins are -- whether we killed someone or simply refused to help the poor. Jesus is inviting you today... will you accept and follow Him?