Tuesday July 15, 2008: Isaiah 7:1-9; Matthew 11:20-24

Jesus Christ rebukes the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum for their failure to believe in him. After performing mighty deeds in their midst, they were still lukewarm towards him and failed to believe in him. Sometimes, being lukewarm and indifferent could be worse than persecution. These people allowed Jesus within their midst, yet they were indifferent to the great sign they had among them. Sometimes we Catholics are like these people. How many Catholics are indifferent towards the Eucharist? They come to church on Sundays not because of the great gift of the Eucharist but just to avoid mortal sin. As you speak with Catholics who cannot freely practice their faith, they will tell you how much they crave for the Eucharist. As I have done some missions in rural Africa where they get to have Mass only may be once or twice a month, it is not uncommon to have people walk for about two miles just to have the Eucharist because it is a precious gift to them. Yet, we have the opportunity to have the Eucharist daily and we find it so difficult to do.

Jesus Christ tells us today that he is here in our midst and we must respond to him in faith. Our prayer today is for faith to always celebrate the Eucharist with joy knowing that Christ is among us doing mighty deeds.