Something greater than Solomon is here

Rom. 1:1-7, Lk. 11:29-32. Some non-Christians seem to live more kindly and honestly than many of the faithful. This was foreseen by Jesus in today's Gospel, when He compared the Gentiles with His Jewish compatriots. The queen of the south represents Africa. To most Israelites, that distant land would have seemed almost impossible to reach. The Ethiopian came to visit Solomon in the person of the queen of the south (1 Kgs 10:1-13). Similarly, the Ninevites, the hated Assyrians, who caused such havoc and destruction to neighbouring countries, could be converted by the preaching of Jonah. In spite of their little religious background, these pagans had a vibrant faith in God but we who follow Jesus, have seen and heard from Him all that we need for a living faith.

Each of us, as Paul puts it in today's first reading, is governed by not one but two life-principles. We are born of the flesh in the natural order and born of the spirit in the supernatural order. The first follows the natural law of generation: conception, birth, life in the flesh. Paul compares this to Judaism with its multiple laws to regulate each moment of human existence. Our rebirth through the Spirit surpasses our natural potency and leads to eternal life. Human flesh is doomed to die, but the spirit is promised eternal life. Like His contemporaries, we can engage in a futile search for miracles without recognising the quiet signs of His presence around us. The greatest sign of the Lord’s presence is during our Eucharistic gatherings. There, our Lord is present to us with His assurance: “This is my body; This is my blood.” Receiving the holy Eucharist we are coming to someone greater than Jonah or Solomon. We respond to Him by following in His ways, as the people of Nineveh responded to Jonah’s call. Gifted and graced by His presence, we are to live under His inspiration and example.

May the Lord give us the spirit of prayer and may we never wander away from the path that leads to life! Amen!! Good morning, have a productive week!!!