Ord.Wk 16th: Monday 19th July, 2021 July 19, 2021
Reflection on the WORD
Rejection of Good News: In today’s Gospel, Jesus reprimanded the scribes and Pharisees for their pride, obstinacy and blindness to the Good News of Salvation, and for not accepting Him as the Messiah. Ponder on, “Are we likewise proud, obstinate and blind to our need to deepen our love for Jesus in the Holy Spirit?”
Matthew 12:38-42
Some of the scribes and Pharisees spoke up. ‘Master,’ they said, ‘we should like to see a sign from you.’ He replied, ‘It is an evil and unfaithful generation that asks for a sign! The only sign it will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah remained in the belly of the sea-monster for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.
‘On Judgement Day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here.
‘On Judgement Day the Queen of the South will rise up with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- •The scribes and the Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign to affirm that He was the Messiah. They were unconvinced despite the many signs Jesus gave.
- •In reply, Jesus cited Jonah and the Queen of the South. Why these two? Because Jonah preached repentance, while the Queen sought the Wisdom of Solomon. Jesus is the Sign of God’s forgiveness and infinite wisdom.
- •Do we also ask for signs? God, in His infinite love, gives us signs daily in our lives. However, we can only see them through eyes of faith.