Exodus 19:1-2, 9-11, 16-20 / Matthew 13:10-17
To believe in God and in His love is not a simple and easy thing to do.
We need to have the faith to believe that God also wants to correct us when we go wrong.
And when we have sinned, we cannot try to get away with it lightly by saying that God is merciful and forgiving.
In fact, with faith in God’s mercy, compassion and forgiveness, then we will accept correction and punishment so as to learn our lessons.
In the gospel, Jesus quoted this text from the prophet Isaiah:
You will listen and listen again, but not understand,
see and see again, but not perceive.
For the heart of this nation has grown coarse,
their ears are dull of hearing, and they have shut their eyes,
for fear they should see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their heart,
and be converted
and be healed by me.
The people have sinned and was unfaithful to God.
As much as God will forgive them, the lessons of sin must be learnt.
So the people will have to accept the punishment in order to soften their hearts, and to open their eyes and ears to what God is showing and telling them.
With faith, we believe that punishment leads to conversion and reconciliation with God.
That is what we truly believe, and let us turn away from sin and be faithful to God always.