Sweet in the mouth; bitter to stomach

WORD 2day: Friday, 33rd week in Ordinary time

November 18, 2022: Revelation 10: 8-11; Luke 19: 45-48

Jesus was very attractive; people rallied after him so willingly and readily. He was interesting to listen to; so many pharisees and scribes hung on to his lips. He was famous; the mere name drew not just crowds but even prominent persons like Zachaeus. He had charming ways; even Herod wanted to see him atleast once! All these were true only in as much as they all looked at Jesus from a distance. When Jesus got near, or when they got closer to Jesus...he turned demanding.

The people came to him and he challenged them to live a life of destitution, with no place to even lay their heads. The people listened to him and he called them whitewashed sepulchers, inviting them to true personal conversion. Individuals approached him and he challenged them to total reformation of their personal and public lives. The people led him with such celebration into the city of Jerusalem and he enters the Temple and drives out the vendors and money lenders. So much for all the welcome we gave him, they would have regretted! But that is Jesus. And that is how the Word of God is. It looks sweet from afar, but if we take it seriously, the Word is demanding!

Yes, the Lord's promises are sweet, but when we take it to heart they can be demanding. If we truly listen to the Word of God, we cannot remain the same forever, we would be challenged to change, to transform, to become more and more like the Lord himself. The Word may be sweet in the mouth; but for sure it will be bitter to stomach. 

The collateral effects can be challenging as the Word would certainly churn out the unwanted elements and strive to pave way towards the Reign. Are we ready for the effects?