We have Something Greater than Jonah

Homily, 10-14-24; Monday of the 28th Week in Ordinary Time:

“From the rising to the setting of the sun is the name of the LORD to be praised. High above all nations is the LORD; above the heavens is his glory.” These are words from today’s responsorial psalm. God is good. God is great. We have something greater than Solomon here. We have something greater than Jonah here.

People flocked to hear the wisdom of Solomon. They repented at the preaching of Jonah. But why do so many today not look to the gospels to hear the wisdom of Jesus? Why do so many refuse to repent from their sinfulness when they hear the Word of God preached to them? Are we too living among an evil generation?

God led the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt and led them to the Promised Land, but out of fear they refused to enter. They had seen so many miracles in their exodus and yet they still didn’t trust God. And so God made them wander in the desert for 40 years. He called them an evil generation and did not let that generation enter into the Promised Land. And Jesus often speaks disparagingly about the generation He was born into. In chapter 7 of Luke’s gospel He says: “Then to what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang a dirge, but you did not weep.’” And in chapter 9, He says: “O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you and endure you?” And today He once again speaks out in chapter 11 against the Jews of His time saying: “This generation is an evil generation.”

Jesus is a greater king than King Solomon and yet the people of His time and our time do not flock to Him to gain His wisdom. Jesus is a prophet greater than the prophet Jonah and yet the people did not listen to the message He preached, and many do not listen to it today. Jesus says that they will be condemned by the Queen of Sheba and the Ninevites at their time of judgement. Will they condemn our generation as well?

We are living among an evil generation. We see it and feel it in our world and in our nation and if we are not careful we can be drawn into it. Let us be sure to heed the words of Jesus in Scripture. They have wisdom greater than Solomon’s. Let the words of Jesus lead us to repentance. They have greater power than those of Jonah. And let us pray for the conversion of those in our world who do not seek the wisdom and forgiveness of Jesus. Let us pray for God’s mercy on our generation that it not be denied entry into the promised land of Heaven.

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