Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: October 6, 2023

Date in the Ordine: Friday of the 26th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: Luke10:13-16

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."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel text for today immediately follows Jesus’ sending forth 72 disciples to preach repentance and to heal others. It is a warning to all of us about the consequences of rejecting the call to repentance and to turn to righteousness. The call to repentance is still being proclaimed.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I accept my own sinfulness and seek to reconcile myself to the LORD through repentance?

Praying:

LORD, from the beginning, we have chosen our ways over your commandments. And yet You sent your beloved Son to take the form of our brother, to dwell among us, and to give himself as an offering for our sins. Send your Spirit to tenderize our hearts and to set our spirits on a road to repentance. Grant that we may acknowledge our shortcomings, our sins, and seek to repent. May our efforts to turn back to You through your loving grace bring us to life with You, in You and through You. Amen.