Our Problem is not Sign but a hardened Heart

 

Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Monday of 16th Week in Ordinary Time, Year I, July 24th, 2023
Texts: Exodus 14:5-18; Canticle Exodus 15:1-6; Matthew 12:38-42 

Our problem is not sign but a hardened heart

Today's gospel reading is about coming of scribes and Pharisees to ask Jesus Christ for a sign. For them it is sign that could make them believe in Him. Jesus called them adulterous generation. Whatever we ask for it is still a sign, the proof of God’s power, love and divinity. The people of Nineveh only heard the message of Jonah and repented. They did not ask for any sign. The Queen of South also came to see Solomon because of what heard, without sign, about him. Jesus Christ is greater than anyone of them. Hence, have no excuse not to believe in Jesus Christ.  

Our problem is not sign but a hardened heart. We read, “And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt and he pursued the sons of Israel as they went forth defiantly.” Pharaoh had several signs and still refused to let the Hebrews go. He had enough sign to make him believe in God and yet remained faithless. The Hebrews also had enough sign to believe in God’s power to save them. They said, “Is it because there are no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? What have you done to us, in bringing us out of Egypt?”  

Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord

We also learn today that God fight for His faithful. Moses says, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today; for the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never, see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be still.” With God we should not be afraid, we only need to stand firm in God.

Prayer 

God our Father, pour out Your love into our hearts, that we may cling to You without asking for signs. Amen.
 
Fr. Andrew Olowomuke