The Gospel According to Luke 11:29-32.
While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the Wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”
Opening Prayer. Look kindly, Lord we pray, on thedevotion of your people, that those who by self-denial are restrained in body may the fruit of good works be renewed in their minds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. AMEN.
Encountering Christ:
In today’s society, many have forgotten the simple meaning of trust with one another. Social media may be the cause of this. Deceit can no longer be hidden from us. Everyone has a camera in their phones capturing everyone’s movements. The other aspect of mistrust is that, even when there is truth spoken, this too can be manipulated in a negative way. Jesus assures us, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
Despite the fulfillment of dozens of major Old Testament prophecies regarding the Messiah, some in the crowd demanded yet more signs from Jesus. He offered another chance to these unbelievers by clearly stating that he was “something greater” than Jonah of the Old Testament, who was a sign of God’s love for the Ninevites, or King Solomon, who was sought for his wisdom by the Queen of Sheba. Jesus, himself, was the sign to Israel and the promised Messiah. Pagans such as the Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba turned their hearts to God when they met his imperfect messengers. These Jews had the most perfect sign in their midst, the Son of God himself, yet many did not recognize or believe.
Recognizing Our Lord: There is a warning here for followers of Christ today. Do we pick and choose which teachings of the Church conveniently align with our own opinions and desires? Or do we acknowledge “something greater” in Christ Jesus, and trust in the wisdom of his bride the Church? Jesus warns that the men of Nineveh and the Queen of Sheba will condemn the generations who fail to acknowledge God in their midst. We must take this warning to heart. Try to remember, also, that we are all Roman Catholics!
Seeking God at Great Cost: To keep us always centered, we should get into the habit of praying the Rosary on a daily basis. Even those who say that they don’t have the time can always make time for at least one decade. This will help us to avoid tunnel vision in our spiritual lives. There are audible APTS available for our phones so that we can pray the Rosary on our drives to and from work each day.
Conversation with Christ: Watch over your people, Lord, and in your kindness cleanse them from all sins, for if evil has no dominion over them, no trial can do them harm. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Resolution: There are seven penitential psalms that when sung or spoken can give us the spiritual help to express our repentance and can be of help to us during this Lenten season. Pray on the Psalms in today’s reading to help you with the cleansing of your spirit and soul. “ A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.”
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