Daily Gospel Reflection

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February 21, 2024

Wednesday of the First Week in Lent
Lk 11:29-32
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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.”

Reflection

Daniel J. Costello, Jr.
Bettex Chair Professor Emeritus in the Department of Electrical Engineering.
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When confronted with something that seems to be the triumph of evil over good, we often find ourselves wishing for a miracle. Likewise, when pondering something that appears to be a moral dilemma, we ask for a sign as to which path is correct. In today’s gospel, we encounter a similar desire on the part of the Jewish people.

In Luke’s telling, Jesus is confronted by a large crowd, demanding that he offer them a sign so they can be sure he is the Messiah. Jesus responds by offering two Old Testament figures, one male, Jonah, and one female, the Queen of Sheba, as models.

Jonah called the City of Nineveh to repentance, to which they responded with acceptance of his judgment. Sheba also, having heard of Solomon’s wisdom, came to seek his guidance. In today’s passage, Jesus is saying that he is greater than Jonah, greater than Solomon, and is calling on the people to repent, a call in which Nineveh and Sheba join him. Jesus is telling them that he is himself the sign they seek, and unless they repent of their evil ways, they will be subject to judgment.

This call to repentance is a key and universal part of the gospel message and applies to our own generation as well. We must repent of our evil ways, like Nineveh, and listen to the wisdom of the gospel message, like Sheba if we hope to dwell in God’s eternal kingdom. We should not always seek further signs or proof of God’s redemptive plan. Just as Nineveh and Sheba listened to the Old Testament prophets, we must listen to the message of Jesus, who is even greater. Jesus is sufficient witness for our salvation.

Prayer

Rev. Andrew Fritz, C.S.C.

Father in Heaven, as he was lifted high on the Cross your son Jesus Christ gave us the ultimate sign of your love. Convert our hearts to rely on you. Deepen our faith and help us to carry our own crosses, so that we may place all our hope in your power to save. Amen.

Saint of the Day

St. Peter Damian

St. Peter Damian was declared a doctor of the Church for practicing what he preached. He reformed and strengthened the Church as an administrator, but he led people with his example.

He was born in 1007 in Italy as the youngest of a large family. When he was orphaned at a young age, he was sent to live with an older brother, who treated him like a slave and sent him to tend the pigs. Another brother, Damian, a priest, took pity on him and welcomed him into his home and educated him. In gratitude, Peter took this brother’s name as his own last name.

Peter was an excellent student and continued in school until he was teaching himself. He was also very pious and devoted himself to prayer and fasting. He seemed to always have a poor person under his care, and often fed them at his own table. He was considering a vocation to the religious life when two Benedictine monks happened to visit him. He heard about their community life and decided to join them.

He was so devout that his fasting and mortifications interfered with his health, and he had to spend time recovering. He used that time to learn the Scriptures well, and when he recovered fully, he was tasked with teaching others, both within the monastery and beyond.

Peter was eventually elected to lead the Benedictine community when the abbot died, and he greatly expanded the monastery and even went on to establish seven other houses for new communities.

He was so intelligent and led such a faithful life that popes and kings began to ask for his assistance in deciding matters. He was named bishop and cardinal, and fervently fought to reform life of the clergy, who were living in worldly ways. Whatever he proposed for others he practiced himself. The pope used him a number of times as his representative.

Peter never lost sight of the life of prayer, and continually sought relief from his official duties so he could live as a hermit. He encouraged people to live heroic lives of faith, especially through his own witness.

St. Peter Damian was declared a doctor of the Church, a title given to 37 saints who are known for elucidating the faith by their words or example. Some of his relics rest in the reliquary chapel in the Basilica.

St. Peter Damian, you urged others to live with heroic virtue by your own example—pray for us!


Image Credit: Our featured image of St. Peter Damian is in the public domain. Last accessed December 6, 2024 on Wikimedia Commons.