17 July 2018 - homily - Tuesday of the 15th week in Ordinary Time - Matthew 11:20-24

     It is interesting to see how some cities are situated and to see the unique nature of their geography.  I think of Yazoo City, where I served for two and a half years as pastor.  As you enter the town from Highway 49 coming from Jackson, you go down this huge hill.  The speed limit going down that hill is 35 mph; believe me, you will be constantly hitting your brakes to be able to go so slow.  Then at the bottom of the hill, as you enter the downtown area, you are now in the Delta.  Leaving Yazoo City going north, you can see the expanse of the Mississippi Delta.  I grew to love Yazoo City.  Every time I go back there for a funeral or a wedding or to visit someone, it hits a chord in my heart, as I have so many good memories of that place. 

       In the Gospel today, Jesus calls out six different cities that are scattered throughout the Holy Land - Chorazin and Bethsaida, Tyre and Sidon, Capernaum and Sodom.  But he does not call them our for their geography, but rather because those cities are not willing to repent.  How many cities and towns would Jesus call out for their lack of repentance if Jesus was proclaiming the Kingdom of God here in the United States today.  Would Jesus call us out for the way we do not look out for the poor?  For the way we discriminate against certain people for different reasons? For the way we pollute our environment and abuse our resources?  For the way abortion and the death penalty are legal?  For the lack of access to health care and lack of access to a good education?  

       As a society, we commit social sins.  As individuals, we sin as well.  As a society and individuals, we are called to repent for our sins.  We are called to examine our lives and turn back to the Gospel.  Again and again, God called the people of Israel back to his laws and commandments, back to the values of the faith.  God called them back to conversion, repentance, and renewal.  

       It is not easy to recognize our sins.  To repent.  To admit that we need to change.  Like we hear proclaimed to us each Wednesday: Repent and believe in the Gospel.