Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time, July 21, 2025

Gospel

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

In this Gospel, Jesus challenges the scribes and Pharisees who demand a sign from Him, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you". While at first glance this might seem like an honest request, after consideration I realized it was not born out of faith or a genuine desire to know the truth, but from skepticism and hardness of heart. They had already witnessed Jesus performing miracles, healing the sick, and casting out demons, yet they continued to test Him and demand more proof.

Jesus responds by referring them to the “sign of Jonah" saying, "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". This foreshadows Jesus’ own death and resurrection on the third day. I couldn't help but wonder why Jesus chose this as a response to the scribes and Pharisees duplicitous request. Perhaps it was because the men of Nineveh, though sinners and outsiders, repented at Jonah’s simple preaching, yet here stands the Son of God Himself, and many still refuse to believe. I think Jesus was showing how true faith is not about demanding signs, but about having the humility to see and accept the truth right in front of us.

While I do not believe it is wrong to ask God for signs or guidance I do believe it should come from a place of trust rather than testing Him. Just like we grow closer to our friends by asking for help and building a relationship, God wants us to come to Him with our needs and desires. He wants good things for us. But this Gospel reminds us that our faith shouldn’t depend on constant proof...God has already given us the greatest sign in the death and resurrection of Jesus. Instead of testing Him, we are called to trust Him, to have faith like the people of Nineveh, who humbled themselves and listened when God spoke.