Gospel – Luke 11:29-32
When the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation.
The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here!
The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!”
The Gospel of the Lord
The Mass intention is for Richard McDonald, RIP
Reflection:
My Friends, It is very easy to separate the Gospel message from the person of Jesus, reducing it to a sublime and somewhat romantic message about universal love. Yet a closer reading of the Gospel, like in today’s text, shows that this is impossible: Jesus makes huge claims about himself which are impossible to disregard. I pray to welcome Jesus and his message into my life.
The only sign to be given is the sign of Jonah, the prophet who was sent to the people of Niniveh, the big city, telling them to change their lives, and they repented. Do I hear Jesus inviting me to change my life, or am I worthy of the same condemnation as Jesus’ contemporaries?
- Jesus is the only sign I need to chart my life well. I ask to be brought close to Jesus now, so that I may read this divine sign well.
- ‘Something greater’ hints at the profound mystery of Jesus. How privileged I am to be his companion!
