16th Week in Ordinary Time : Monday 20th July 2020

God challenged the Israelites by reminding them of all he had done for them. God called on the hills and mountains to tell the Israelites that all of creation was aware of how God had looked after them. But they were not satisfied.

The Israelites had traditionally shown respect for God, but Micah insisted that God wanted more.

What was it that God wanted and still asks of us today?

It is the same message that Jesus shared — “to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God,” (Micah 6:8).

The Jewish leaders were puzzled by Jesus. They asked for a sign. Instead, Jesus mentioned that just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale for three days and nights, he would be buried for three days and nights.

Jesus claimed that the people of Nineveh would judge them because the Ninevites believed Jonah and repented, and Jesus was greater than Jonah. Jesus also declared that he was greater than Solomon, so the Queen of the South, who had travelled to see Solomon, would judge them as well. This was a call to be faithful to God and not to require tangible signs but to trust.

Lord, help me to trust even when I cannot understand.