MONDAY OF THE SIXTEENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 20, 2020

MASS READINGS:

A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew 12:38-42

Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.” He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. 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. At the judgment the queen of the south will arise 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.”

REFLECTION: “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet."

The scribes and the Pharisees had exaggerated thoughts about themselves. They were unable to be taught because they thought they knew all they needed to know and they felt Jesus was inferior to them. They tried hard to find fault in Jesus and refused to listen to Him. They wanted Jesus to work a miracle in dramatic display. “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet." Instead Jesus says that they will have proof in His death and Resurrection.

The scribes and Pharisess are not disposed to believe. Jesus had done many signs before them but they still did not believe. They were filled with prejudices and lacked the willing disposition to be moved.

We need to be open to God's message. We need to understand other people, avoid negative judgments, and have our minds open and clean. But most of all Jesus has shown us the way for happiness and life with the Creator. Pride is the principle obstacle in our struggle. If we are well disposed, God will give us all we need to persevere on our journey to Him.

God resists the proud. The fourth word of Jesus on the Cross was in reparation for the sin of pride. Because proud men forgot God, Jesus permits Himself to feel Godlessness and allowed His heart to be broken with the sad words of, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

God Bless You