The Trinity is revealed with the features of a family. The family is the image of God, a communion of persons. At Jesus' baptism, the Father’s voice was heard, calling Jesus his beloved Son, and in this love we recognize the Spirit. Jesus returned marriage and the family to their original form and raised marriage to the sacramental sign of his love for the Church. In the human family the image and likeness of the Trinity has been restored, the mystery from which true love flows. Through the Church, marriage and family receive the grace of the Spirit from Christ, to bear witness to the Gospel of God’s love.
The sacrament of marriage is a gift given for the sanctification and salvation of the spouses, since their mutual belonging is a real representation of the same relationship between Christ and the Church. The married couple is a reminder for the Church of what took place on the cross; they are for one another and their children witnesses of the salvation they share through the sacrament. Marriage is a vocation, a response to a specific call to experience conjugal love as a sign of the love between Christ and Church. The decision to marry and have a family ought to be the fruit of a process of vocational discernment. (III:71-72)
Is 7:1-9The kings of Aram and Israel attacked but couldn't conquer Jerusalem. Lord to Isaiah: Tell Ahaz: Take courage and don't fear; the mischief plotted against you shall not be! Within 65 years, Ephraim shall be crushed. Unless your faith is firm, you won't be firm!
Ps 48:2-8"God upholds his city for ever." Great is the Lord and wholly to be praised. His holy mountain is the joy of the earth.
Mt 11:20-24Jesus reproached the towns since they hadn't repented: “Woe to you, Chorazin and Bethsaida, for not repenting as even Tyre and Sidon did. Capernaum, you'll go down to the nether world; Sodom will fare better.”
Creighton: Today’s reading from Isaiah calls us to "Take care you remain tranquil and don't fear; don't let your courage fail." When I face fears (work, relationships, finances, children...), I want understanding and meaning but need more than an explanation. My comfort must come in faith and belief in the Lord so I may remain tranquil and not fail in courage.
One Bread, One Body: "Converting the perverting": Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum didn't convert despite Jesus' miracles. If we believe in Jesus, we enough power to convert cities, even the most notorious ones. Most people recognize the power of the world, the flesh, and the devil. We must also realize the more formidable power of believing Christians....
Passionist: The Lord has done wondrous deeds to and in front of us. What else will it take for us to be strong in faith and open to transformation? In today's readings, the Lord expresses reproach for cities that saw his goodness but didn't repent. "Don't let trials disturb you.... Our Savior purifies those dear to him with trials to develop their fidelity" (St. Paul of the Cross). God graces us with his presence to transform us by his love and mercy into what he's planned for us. We can choose open our lives to God. "I long for nothing else, except to be transformed by love in the divine will" (St. Paul of the Cross).
DailyScripture.net: "Will you be exalted to heaven?" What would Jesus say to your community today, and how would you respond? Chorazin and Bethsaida had been blessed with the good news and Jesus' wonderful works. Jesus expressed sorrowful pity, grief, and dismay over their folly, sin, and ignorance. They likely responded with indifference instead of change of heart and life. "Most High God, enlighten our darkness and give us true faith, certain hope, and 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" (Francis of Assisi).
Universalis: St. John Jones(AKA John Buckley, John Griffith, Godfrey Maurice), Franciscan missionary priest, martyr
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