THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Monday of 28^th week in Ordinary time, 2021

Rom 1:1-7

Ps 98

Luke 11:29-32

The sign of Jonah

Dear friends in Christ, people often say that experience is the best teacher. The best of teachers are those who are able to follow through, by living out what they teach others. Leaders who do it first, often win the support of their followers because they have someone who is not just a slave-master, but one of them. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life and in all things, he calls his disciples to follow his example. He is himself the sign, that will be given to this evil generation.

In the first reading of today (Romans 1:1-7) We have an introduction to the letter of Paul to the Romans. Paul was not yet known to the Church in Rome, it is by this letter he introduced himself to the community in preparation for his own visit to Rome. The letter must have been written about the year 57-58 AD and is known to be one of the most profoundly theological writings in the New Testament. Paul’s main aim in the letter is to discuss justification by faith, which applies to all— Jews and Gentiles alike. In today’s selection, Paul offers greetings and a summary of the core of Christian faith—the good news is about Jesus Christ, “… descended from David according to the flesh and designated Son of God in power…by his resurrection from the dead…”

In today’s gospel (Luke 11:29-32) a bigger crowd had gathered around Jesus; but this time, not to listen to his teachings, but to see him work some signs, but he did not fall for it. He is not a showman or a magician who needs a great crowd around him for his performance. He therefore addressed their quest for signs. “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nineveh, so will the Son of man be to this generation.” The sign Jesus wants to give them, will be the final act of his life—His passion, death and resurrection. He sees the Jonah event, as a pointer to this. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the man had asked Abraham to send Lazarus back from the dead, to warn his brothers. Abraham’s reply was that even if someone comes back from the dead, they are not likely to listen, if they will not listen to the prophets. But Jesus is willing to make that definitive sacrifice, for the redemption of the world. The difference however is, the Ninevites repented on seeing the sign of Jonah, unlike this generation. So they will be judges, “The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgement with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.” We have every opportunity to avoid that condemnation by being serious with our faith in Christ. He is the Lord of our lives and the way to our salvation.

Let us pray: Lord, help me to understand and appreciate the freedom I have in you. Give me the courage to follow you to the joys of heaven. Amen. 

+Remain blessed