Gospel Reading: Lk 11:29-32
While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”
THIS GENERATION IS AN EVIL GENERATION
In spite of the many healings, exorcisms, and edifying teachings of Jesus, the people still ask for a sign. Jesus uses strong words to describe them – “evil generation.” He gives them two signs: the prophet Jonah in Nineveh and the queen of the south who came from afar to hear the wisdom of Solomon.
This is an invitation to us, especially during this Lenten season, to be aware of the signs of God’s presence among us. The first step to this is to repent and to listen to the Word of God. We have already reflected on the meaning of repentance earlier (cf March 4).
God forbid that with all the guidance we have from the Word of God, the sacraments, and the teachings of the Church, we remain lacking in faith and trust in God, and thus deserve to be called an “evil generation.”
To listen is to forget ourselves and focus on the speaker. It can be compared to watching television – complete attention to what we view.
We can recognize signs of Jesus’ presence among us if we find time to listen to him in our prayer.
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord,” ST PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.
