Today’s Gospel:  Luke 11:29-32

REFLECTION
In today’s Gospel certain people were asking from Jesus a sign. They ignored His miracles; they forgot all that had gone before; for want of something else to say, they asked for a sign as an aid to faith. Yet there is reason to think that even had He given them many additional signs they would have only examined them to find ways and means of bringing accusations against Him. The Lord was not unmindful of their presence in the audience, and suddenly turning toward the questioners He began to speak of the day of judgment. At first He did not speak of the testimony of Jonah, but rather of his appearance. As a matter of fact it is extremely problematical whether any preaching (by Jonah or anybody) could have turned that city to God in such a short time. The Ninevites worshipped the fish god and when Jonah suddenly appeared on the seashore bearing upon his person the marks of the ordeal through which he had passed, they recognized he was a man who had returned from the dead. Their sea-god probably lay dead in the shallow water, and yet this resurrected man was there to speak to them. They were willing to listen even before he uttered a word. The queen of Sheba (i.e., the “queen of the south”) came from her distant home to hear the wisdom of Solomon because reports of the great king had stirred her soul. Having heard about the great king, she could not rest until she came to see if the reports were accurate. But the crowds around Jesus must have been too thick-headed (or worst, thick-hearted).  It is their loss that many of them refused to believe Jesus.

Today’s Reading:  Gal 4:22-24, 26-27, 31—5:1

PRAYER
Lord, change my doubt to trust, trust to faith, faith to love.  In Jesus’ Name we pray.  Amen.