The places for which Jesus expresses feelings of sadness are the places where people heard the message of Jesus but they made no response. Even before that, they had been hearing the Word of God from the Old Testament. They had had all the guidance they needed for leading a good life but they had turned their backs on it. If the same opportunities had been given to purely pagan peoples, they would have responded long ago and made repentance for their sins. The message is clear.

The words are not just about people in some small towns thousands of years ago. Jesus' words are addressed to us Christians here and now. How do we respond to the Gospel message? How do we compare with people around us who have never heard it? And it does not help to say that if Jesus himself spoke to us we would listen. "Anyone who listens to you (those who announce the Gospel) listens to Me. Those who reject Me, reject the One who sent Me." In our Christian communities, Jesus speaks to us constantly and he also can speak to others through each one of us. Where do I find Jesus in my life? How many can hear Jesus speaking through my words and actions?