Readings: Galatians 4:22-24,26-27,31-5:1, Ps. 113:1-7, Luke 11:29-32
“The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.” (Luke 11:32)
Jesus, having been accused of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebub, explains that a kingdom cannot be divided against itself. To those expecting a magical performance from Him, Jesus said: “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” (Luke 11:29).
- Why did Jesus call them evil? By accusing Jesus of using the power of demons, their hearts were already hardened. Even if they had seen signs, they still wouldn’t have believed. You have heard the saying: “Never explain yourself to anyone; your real friends don’t need it, and your enemies would never believe you.”
- Jesus would have easily performed one miracle to put the case to rest, but He didn’t. Why? This was the same temptation that Satan brought when he took Jesus to the pinnacle of the temple and said: “Show the world that you are the Son of God by jumping down from here.” Jesus did not fall into the temptation of using his Divine Powers for self-glorification.
- Jesus always worked miracles and did signs and wonders for the good of the people in need of such signs and not for his glory. He always told them afterwards to “tell no one about it.” Jesus did not perform a sign there and then for this crowd because that would be vain glory. As a minister, do I perform miracles or give testimonies to exalt myself or for the genuine good of the people?
- On the other hand, do I go to church (like these people in today’s Gospel passage), demanding signs and wonders to believe? Only an evil generation demands signs to believe. Only an evil generation puts God’s ministers under undue pressure, even to the extent that some ministers now stage-manage fake miracles. Our streets are littered with miracle centres, but we are like the people of Bethsaida and Chorazin, who witnessed many of Jesus’s miracles but remained adamant about their sins. (Cf. Matthew 11:21, Luke 10:13).
- Even though Jesus did not work any miracle, he promised them the greatest miracle of all time – the sign of Jonah. Jesus died on the Cross of Calvary, and on the third day, He rose again. This is the miracle of all miracles, the greatest sign that God took our human nature and lived among us. Anyone still doubting if Jesus is God is on their own. This reminds us of Abraham’s response to the rich man when he begged him to send Lazarus to his brothers: “If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.” (Luke 16:31)
- In today’s first reading, St. Paul reminds us of our freedom as Christians. We were not born of slavery (the old covenant) but are adopted sons and daughters of God by the blood Jesus shed on our behalf on Calvary (the new covenant). Freedom in Christ is not a license to do whatever we feel like doing; it is the grace to do exactly what God wants us to do.
- Freedom is a double-edged sword. How? Freedom entails responsibility. Having heard the Gospel, we would be severely punished if we fail to do what it requires. Meanwhile, those who never had the opportunity to know Jesus Christ may be pardoned for their ignorance. This is why Jesus said: “The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.” (Luke 11:32). To whom much is given, much is expected.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, increase our trust in you. Even when we don’t see signs, continue to strengthen our faith. We ask this through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Monday of week 28 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: Galatians 4:22-24,26-27,31-5:1, Ps. 113:1-7, Luke 11:29-32).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu