In today’s Gospel, you can almost feel the very human frustration of Jesus because things are not going according to plan in some of the towns where he preaches. People in Bethsaida and other towns aren’t listening. Or if they are listening, they are not moved to repent despite the mighty deeds they have been able to witness. This glimpse of Jesus and the frustration born of his humanness and his love for the people in spite of the lack of listening is repeated in our own lives. We can see the scenario played out in our spiritual lives and in our everyday existence. Parents asking their kids again and again to clean their rooms, to stop arguing with their siblings. Teachers who know if the students do the reading, the students would do better in assignments. Medical professionals who offer advice to help us be healthy, yet we don’t follow it.

In our own lives, we know better, but still we repeat patterns of actions, whether by commission or omission, that hurt those around us. Jesus wants us to follow the commandments, especially to love one another as he has loved us. The message can fall on ears that are too preoccupied with our things, with our place in the world, in competing with those very people we are to love. Can the message from Jesus be any more clear?  Yet, we look for loopholes. We make excuses. I will be better tomorrow. She deserves it. I need to look out for myself. It’s easier for those people in Tyre and Sidon. I have plenty of time to make all of this right.

But why am I wasting time mired in my own misdeeds? Why do I not repent and realize that path is the one I need to take? We have seen and read Jesus’ mighty deeds. We know he became human to make that ultimate sacrifice for us. Let me gain strength from that love and compassion and use that strength to show love and compassion in my own life. Let me hear the entreaty from Jesus and take that first step on the path to repentance.