Both the Gospel and First readings help us reflect on the need for repentance and renewed obedience to God's laws and commandments.

In the Confession of Baruch (1st reading), the exiles addressed their fellow Jews in Jerusalem. Throughout the Confession is the acknowledgement that God's great gift to the Chosen Israel is God's laws and commandments. Obedience brings prosperity while disobedience disaster and exile. In vs.13-15 of the Gospel passage, the woes form part of the mission-instruction to the seventy two disciples and particularly by comparing that of Galilean towns and Jesus' mission in pagan cities.

This confirms that 'salvation is for all' as the mission of the Church. Verse 16 spells out the foundation upon which the mission of the disciples is based. Whatever the disciples teach and do is in the name and authority of Jesus.

With this, Jesus challenges every Christian and community to respond to Jesus by conversion. If we choose not to respond, is to invite the consequences of God's judgment i.e. refusal to respond to Jesus and God. So it is our responsibility to respond in repentance and in gratitude to God's gift to us and the Church. Let us then take up this challenge in our daily Examen of Consciousness.