The LORD is a warrior, LORD is his name! Pharaoh's chariots and army he hurled into the sea; the elite of his officers were submerged in the Red Sea. Let us sing to the Lord; he has covered himself in glory.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Mt 12:38-42, today's readings).

"Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here."

Jesus responds to the Pharisees who are seeking a sign by saying that "an evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign." The ultimate word of the Father, Jesus, tells them that no sign will be given to the people because he stands before them as the one whom all the signs point to. And then Jesus draws on the story of Jonah to give them a sign: just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale, so will Jesus be at his burial, resurrection, and second coming. The people of Nineveh, Jesus says, will rise in judgment against this generation because they responded to Jonah's message in faith. The greater message Jesus brings is an invitation to genuine repentance and faith.

God, help me be aware of when I go looking for unmistakable signs that you are at work in my life. The quest to piece together occurrences into what appears to be a meaningful expression is to look for fulfillment of your plans. Sometimes events confirm that but at other times the signs point to an outcome that could not have been predicted. Strengthen my faith, Lord, to move forward today and every day in confidence that your will is actively guiding me as I seek to understand it and respond to it. The Gospel acclamation is a gentle reminder that I need not go far to find that Christ is present: "If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts." Saint Lawrence of Brindisi, pray for us!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.