First Reading: Is 7:1-9; Psalm: 48 R. v. 9cd; Gospel: Mt 11:20-24

THE SIN OF INDIFFERENCE

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

 

We can hear Jesus today upbraiding the regions of Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum. Jesus remarked that Tyre and Sodom would have repented if the works done in these three regions were done in their cities. Tyre and Sodom were known for their wickedness and unholy desires (Isaiah 23; Jeremiah 25:22). But the regions of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum were not really known for the kind of sins committed in Tyre and Sodom yet Jesus did not spare them his tirade. What then was the offence of these three regions? It was the sin of indifference.

These regions neither attacked Jesus nor accepted his message. They were like those set of people who would come to Church to sit and stare at the preacher uninterestedly as he preaches and then return home unrepentant. The mighty works of Jesus nor his preaching did not move them. They were guided by a casual lack of concern. It was an indirect way of telling Jesus that he was fooling himself and wasting his time. They were like the Church in Laodicea whom God addressed saying “I know about your activities: how you are neither hot nor cold. I wish you were one or the other, but since you are neither hot nor cold, but lukewarm, I will spit you out of my mouth” (Rev 3:15-16).

The sin of indifference is like a chain; it keeps us where we are. As we hear God speak to us daily through the Word and Sacrament, what is our disposition like? Do we go for Mass, sit and wait eagerly just to hear “Go in peace the Mass is ended” as if we were observing a mere routine? We need to re-examine our openness to the gospel message especially when we begin to feel we are too familiar to the Word of God. It is true that we are not the agent of repentance but the Holy Spirit needs our disposition to work in us. How disposed are we? Remember, the greater our missed opportunities, the greater our judgment.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, save us from the sin of indifference. Amen.