By Shiju Joseph csc –
Readings: Ex 2:1-15a; Mt 11:20-24
It is very easy for us to get used to the good that people do to us. The priests and religious today receive a lot of respect and privileges due to their status. If they begin to believe these to be because of their merit or personal achievements, they will begin to take them for granted.
Still worse, some may even consider such privileges as their entitlements. The cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum got used to a Jesus who performed miracles on their streets. The miracles and the presence of Jesus became regular events that no more meant much for them. They went about their daily lives unaffected by the itinerant preacher and ignored his challenging words.
It is easy for us to get used to God’s gifts and presence, and even become indifferent to them. At such moments, we become nonchalant when God’s gifts are plenty and offended at God when these are scarce; we don’t notice it when everything is going well, and complain when something goes wrong; we ignore the warnings and caution that God sends our way, and whine when these come true. Have I become too used to God’s word that I can not hear him anymore? Have I become too used to receiving God’s blessings that I cannot recognize them anymore?