Monday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time [395] Exodus 14:5-18 Exodus 15:1b-2, 3-4, 5-6 Matthew 12:38-42

Weekly Guide for Daily Prayer

Who is that “evil and unfaithful generation that seeks a sign?” Certainly, Jesus (as portrayed by Matthew) goes after the scribes and Pharisees. They have refused to accept his preaching and to discern the hand of God in his healing.
 
It seems that this was a very lively question in the early Church – why didn’t everyone accept Jesus as the Messiah who had come into the world? Why did the scribes and Pharisees reject him?
 
I can see several aspects of this question today that hearken back to the early Church’s plea. Yet, I also sense some differences that our situation promotes.
Why don’t more people accept the preaching of the Gospel?
Why have so many left the Church?
Why does a spirit of lethargy seem to permeate the Church?
Why is conversion so difficult?
 
One thing that I believe I have learned is that I always have to include myself in any ‘condemnation’ or ‘judgment’ of others. When I see lethargy in the Church, I look for its roots and tangles in my life. When I wonder why “they” don’t accept the Word, I also have to wonder why I am so slow to let it in. And when I criticize American culture for its narcissistic individualism, I look for its manifestation in my awareness and actions.
 
At least, that’s my intention. Sometimes I do it fairly well. Sometimes so poorly.
 
I pray that we all can reckon with the meaning of the sign of Jonah and so learn from Jesus’ preaching the Word of Life.
 
Happy Summer!