Tuesday 16 July 2024

Today is Tuesday 16 July, in the 15th week of Ordinary Time.

Leslie Jordan with the Porter’s Gate sings, ‘Love Will Never Fail’.

Love is patient, love is kind
It has no arrogance or pride
It seeks the good of others first
It keeps no record of wrong or hurt
It finds no joy in wickedness
But rejoices in the truth
Through it all, it will endure
Love will never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never fail
Though all prophecy will cease
Though all knowledge, it will fade
Oh, an end will come to speech
Even death will pass away
We will see You face to face
And Your mercy will prevail
Faith and hope they will remain
Love will never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never, never fail
Love will never fail




Today’s reading is from the Gospel of Matthew.

Matthew 11:10-24

This is the one about whom it is written,
“See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.”

Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John came; and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come. Let anyone with ears listen!

‘But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the market-places and calling to one another,
“We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
we wailed, and you did not mourn.”

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon”; the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax-collectors and sinners!” Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.’

Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done, because they did not repent. ‘Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you. And you, Capernaum,
will you be exalted to heaven?
No, you will be brought down to Hades.

For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I tell you that on the day of judgement it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.’

In this passage, Jesus speaks about John the Baptist and the way in which people criticise both John and Jesus in different ways. How do you picture John the Baptist and Jesus? What are their similarities, what are their differences? Take some time to reflect on this now.

Sometimes it can be tempting to label others based on their behaviour. Perhaps an antidote to such labelling is appreciation: striving to see the positive qualities in a person, remembering that goodness and holiness are lived out in unique and varied manners. In light of such a thought, is there anybody you would like to pray for now who is unduly judged for their behaviour?

As you listen to the first part of this passage again, notice how and why John and Jesus are criticised.

As this time of prayer comes to an end, talk to Jesus about whatever is in your mind and heart, perhaps praying for the capacity to appreciate others and see the best in people today.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.