how to destroy your town
"He began to reproach the towns where most of His miracles had been worked, with their failure to reform." —Matthew 11:20
Today, here in Cincinnati, Ohio, many Masses were celebrated. At each Mass, Jesus works the incomparable miracle of changing ordinary bread and wine into His body and blood, soul and divinity (Catechism, 1374). This week, at least hundreds of such miracles will have been worked in Cincinnati. This doesn't include the miracles of conversion and adoption which occur in every Baptism, the miracles of conversion and repentance at each Confession, the miracles in other Sacraments, miracles in response to prayers of faith and repentance, miracles through His own divine mercy (e.g. Ex 2:5ff), miracles in other healings during this year. These miracles are far greater than what the people of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum ever experienced. Yet they failed to reform (Mt 11:20). Archaeologists confirm that, as Jesus prophesied (Mt 11:23), these three towns no longer exist and were never rebuilt after their destruction.
Though Cincinnati is godly in some ways, it is sinful in many others. If my town doesn't reform and repent of its sinfulness, it may "go down to the realm of death" (Mt 11:23). What about your town? Your town doesn't have to be as wicked as Pharoah's Egypt, Sodom, Tyre, or Sidon. All it has to do is fail to reform when Jesus works great miracles in its midst. Your town's reform begins with you. Believe in Jesus' miracles (Jn 10:38). Repent! Now is the day of salvation for you and your town (2 Cor 6:2).
Prayer: Father, may we humble ourselves, pray, seek You, and repent of sin, that You would revive our land (2 Chr 7:14).
Promise: "The Lord hears the poor." —Ps 69:34
Praise: Bl. Kateri Tekakwitha was one of a few of her tribe who received the gospel. Her total faith became a witness to the whole world.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, January 5, 2009
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