GOSPEL POWER | JULY 19, 2021 |  MONDAY | 16th Week in Ordinary Time

Gospel: Mt 12: 38 -42

Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth. 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 queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here!”

Reflection 

There is irony and a note of warning in Jesus’ response to  the sign-seeking scribes and Pharisees. The preaching of  the Israelite prophet Jonah to the Gentile sinners at Nineveh  has been effective in bringing them to repentance. The famed wisdom  of the Israelite king Solomon has drawn the Gentile queen of the  south. Now, Jesus — who is the One greater than both Jonah and  Solomon — is being doubted and rejected by the religious leaders of  his own people Israel. On the other hand, the Gentiles will be more  receptive to his message. This Gentile openness and responsiveness  will be the sign for the scribes and Pharisees of the authenticity of  the One whom they have rejected. As in the parable of the wicked  tenants, the vineyard will be leased to other tenants who will give the  owner the fruits in due season (cf. Mt 21:41)

Prayer

Lord Jesus, help us to trust God’s wisdom instead of seeking certainty  through signs. Amen