“While still more people gathered in the crowd, he 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.’” (Lk. 11:29-32 NABRE)
As Catholics, we have faith and believe in Jesus as our Lord, God, and Savior. We recognize our Father’s voice within our souls and consciences and can see Him at work all around us. We inherently know that God is in control, that He is the reason for our existence, and that Jesus is Who we live for.
Many people today, however, do not have this faith. They tend to be so caught up in their own lives, desires, and ambitions that they do not seek out the Lord, or do not wish to listen to His calls. They deny His voice and His works, and often respond with anger, annoyance, and by ignoring Jesus’ followers when the Truth is spoken. They do not believe in God and often demand for more evidence for His existence. Yet, as the Gospel passage tells us today, the ultimate sign of God’s boundless love for man has already been sacrificially offered, and even this sign has not been enough to awaken this evil generation.
The Ninevites listened to the condemnation of God through the preaching of Jonah, and yet, the hearts of men today will not even soften at the sight of our bloodied and scourged Lord Jesus on the Cross. Jesus explains that if this generation will not except this sign of God’s love, they will not except any sign.
We must never grow cold, indifferent, or uninterested towards God’s working in our lives! He speaks to us always, but it is up to us to listen.
In the papal encyclical, Evangelium Vitae, Pope John Paul II teaches that:1
“Every person sincerely open to truth and goodness can, by the light of reason and the hidden action of grace, come to recognize the natural law written in the heart.”
So, may we never doubt God’s endless presence in our hearts and lives. He is present to us always, and we need only look to His Cross to be reminded of this. Further, our hearts must never become closed off or grow to despise the Truth. Rather, may we trust in God, love His laws and commands, which are intended for our good(!), and desire to live for Him always. May we always listen to and abide by God’s law and voice written on our hearts!
Edifying! The last paragraph is especially excellent!