USCCB Daily Readings July 18th, 2022

Wouldn’t you agree that more and more people today are only willing to believe in God and follow the Lord on their own terms and conditions? Most likely, we’re all guilty of this. We try to bargain with God, and reach a certain agreement with Him so as to ensure that both His will and our will are accomplished.

But if the two can’t be reconciled… well, then, surely God’s will can be compromised, right?

So often we try to ignore what we know God is telling us to do, so that we can do what we want instead. We question God and His presence in our lives. We doubt our ability to follow Him and even offer ourselves excuses and justification for not doing so. We think,

“God knows I’m too weak and sinful to obey everything He’s asking of me. I know what Jesus taught, but the times really have changed. So, I’m sure He’ll understand and forgive me.”

The Pharisees exemplified this kind of attitude in today’s Gospel. Though Jesus had performed miracle after miracle, they “said to him, ‘Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.’” (Mt. 12:38 NABRE) Now, God stood present before them, telling them how they must live their lives and validating His teachings with miracles. However, the Pharisees still tried to look for a way to ignore the Truth Who stood before them in order to avoid following Him, and their request for a sign demonstrated that no amount of evidence would be enough to evoke faith in them.

Doesn’t that sound like the skeptics of today?

Jesus “said to them in reply, ‘An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.’” (Mt. 12:39)

Ultimately, our Lord was condemning the Pharisees by comparing their reluctance and unbelief to the people of Nineveh, who faithfully received and accepted the truth when it was proclaimed to them.

“They repented at the preaching of Jonah.” (Mt. 12:41)

Thus, let us not be like the reluctant and skeptical Pharisees who lacked faith and refused to accept the Truth in order to avoid following Him. Let us relinquish our terms and conditions, and stop excusing ourselves from wholeheartedly committing ourselves to the Lord. Jesus died for our sins and overcame death by His Resurrection, and He calls us to faithfully follow Him, obey His teachings, and embrace His will. Unlike the Pharisees, may we recognize the presence of God in our lives, and faithfully acknowledge the Truth.