Monday of 16th Week in Ordinary Time
FAITH AND SIGNS
God calls the Hebrew people before his court and asks them to justify their conduct. How have they answered his love? The prophet uses a style which the Reproaches (Improperia) of Good Friday imitate.
In the gospel the scribes and the Pharisees demand signs. The Hebrews had failed to see the sign of God in the fact that he had quietly led them to freedom and made them into a people. The scribes fail to recognize God in the message and person of Jesus, in his service, loyalty, and love. God is not a God of publicity. His presence is discreet. The sign of Jonas was that the Ninivites believed his preaching; the three days in the belly of the fish as a reference to the three days of Jesus in the tomb may be a later addition.
First Reading: Micah 6:1-5
Listen now, listen to God:
“Take your stand in court.
If you have a complaint, tell the mountains;
make your case to the hills.
And now, Mountains, hear God’s case;
listen, Jury Earth—
For I am bringing charges against my people.
I am building a case against Israel.
“Dear people, how have I done you wrong?
Have I burdened you, worn you out? Answer!
I delivered you from a bad life in Egypt;
I paid a good price to get you out of slavery.
I sent Moses to lead you—
and Aaron and Miriam to boot!
Remember what Balak king of Moab tried to pull,
and how Balaam son of Beor turned the tables on him.
Remember all those stories about Shittim and Gilgal.
Keep all God’s salvation stories fresh and present.”
Gospel: Matthew 12:38-42
Later a few religion scholars and Pharisees got on him. “Teacher, we want to see your credentials. Give us some hard evidence that God is in this. How about a miracle?”
Jesus said, “You’re looking for proof, but you’re looking for the wrong kind. All you want is something to titillate your curiosity, satisfy your lust for miracles. The only proof you’re going to get is what looks like the absence of proof: Jonah-evidence. Like Jonah, three days and nights in the fish’s belly, the Son of Man will be gone three days and nights in a deep grave.
“On Judgment Day, the Ninevites will stand up and give evidence that will condemn this generation, because when Jonah preached to them they changed their lives. A far greater preacher than Jonah is here, and you squabble about ‘proofs.’ On Judgment Day, the Queen of Sheba will come forward and bring evidence that will condemn this generation, because she traveled from a far corner of the earth to listen to wise Solomon. Wisdom far greater than Solomon’s is right in front of you, and you quibble over ‘evidence.’
Prayer
Lord our God,
in times of anguish and desolation
we sometimes call for signs and miracles
that assure us of your presence.
Forgive us our presumption
and give us a faith strong enough
to recognize you at work in nature,
in the ordinary events of life
and in the goodness and service of people.
We entrust ourselves to you
through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
Reflection:
18 July 2022
Matthew 12:38-42
God’s miracles all around.
Evangelist Matthew presents the Pharisees and the scribes as the adversaries of Jesus. Most of the arguments against the teachings and signs of Jesus come from these religious leaders. They are at it again, but with a seemingly genuine request – for a sign from heaven.
Matthew had already reported several signs and miracles of Jesus. Those who have seen what Jesus was doing have been astonished, praising God and saying, “God has visited us.” However, the religious leaders, blinded by their prejudice, accused Jesus of using the powers of Satan for his teachings, exorcisms and healings. With this request for a sign from heaven, the Pharisees and the scribes must have been demanding Jesus present his credentials.
Jesus retorts by calling them an “evil and unfaithful generation that asks for a sign”. Signs and wonders were happening all around them, but they pretended blindness. So the Lord calls them an “evil and unfaithful generation.” No matter what he did or said, they would not believe.
Remember the parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus, one in hell and the other on the bosom of Father Abraham? Father Abraham tells the rich man in hell: “If they [his brothers and sisters] do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither would they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” The same is the answer for the detractors of Jesus. There is no point in arguing with those who do not believe in God. Arguments cannot prove God, but only faith.
Jesus offers them the “sign of Jonah,” – which was well understood by the listeners of Matthew. The Community of Matthew already believes in the resurrection of Jesus. Therefore, they knew the story of Jonah and also believed that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day. However, the Jews in Antioch who refused to believe in Jesus would not believe in this resurrection story. Matthew, through the words of Jesus, is challenging them. He reminds them of the sign of Jonah, which every Jew believed. Jonah remained in the sea for three days before seeing the surface. Jesus will manifest the greatest sign from Heaven – the sign of the Resurrection.
The leaders had no explanations or answers for the teachings and mighty works of Jesus, but they refused to believe because they regarded themselves as people of knowledge and learning.
Complacency and intellectual pride are probably the biggest temptations that confront us today. Sometimes, we are stiff-necked and stubborn like the scribes and the Pharisees of the Gospel today. We refuse to give up our set patterns of behaviour and consider everyone else wrong. The Gospel invites us to open our eyes – and witness the beauty of God’s miracles all around us.