This generation is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. – Luke 11:29

       In the 1994 romantic film Only You, the female character was told in a group game that a certain Damon Bradley was destined to be the man in her life. Hopeless romantic that she was, she took this sign seriously and off she went to find him. Her search brought her to Italy where she met the real Damon Bradley. Sadly, the encounter did not turn out to be as she had dreamed of.

     She met another man who warmed her heart. His name was not Damon. Seeing how conflicted she was, her brother finally admitted that the Damon Bradley story was just a prank. What a happy ending it was for her!

      Even among us Catholics, horoscopes and fortune-tellers are popular. Some take these seriously and allow those to influence their lives. We also pray for signs and interpret them as affirmations from God for what we want.

       Truth is, the Bible gives us everything to direct us to a good destiny. If we are faithful to God’s words and allow Him to direct our lives, He will give us everything that is good and all that we need in His time. Marie Franco (mariefranco_pie@yahoo.com)

Reflection: Read the Bible and get to know God’s directions for you today.

For all the times I relied on so many things other than You, I beg for forgiveness. You alone are my God, my Savior, and source of wisdom.

This attempt to describe the two covenants does not work. It does teach us that those under the Law are bound in a type of slavery. Only by the grace of the Holy Spirit can they be freed. This is the struggle we face — knowing what we should do, discovering we lack the strength to do it on our own, and realizing that God has given us the strength through His Spirit. Let us surrender our lives to the Spirit today.

Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31 – 5: 1

22 Brothers and sisters: It is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the freeborn woman. 23 The son of the slave woman was born naturally, the son of the freeborn through a promise. 24 Now this is an allegory. These women represent two covenants. One was from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar. 26 But the Jerusalem above is freeborn, and she is our mother. 27 For it is written: Rejoice, you barren one who bore no children; break forth and shout, you who were not in labor; for more numerous are the children of the deserted one than of her who has a husband. 31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are children not of the slave woman but of the freeborn woman. 5:1 For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.

Psalm 113:1-2, 3-4, 5, 6-7

R: Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.

1 Praise, you servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. 2 Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever. (R) 3 From the rising to the setting of the sun is the name of the Lord to be praised. 4 High above all nations is the Lord; above the heavens is his glory. (R) 5 Who is like the Lord, our God, who 6 looks upon the heavens and the earth below? 7 He raises up the lowly from the dust; from the dunghill he lifts up the poor. (R)

Our Father in heaven has joyfully bestowed on us His Kingdom. This is a promise we need to claim every day. We should live redeemed lives. At baptism, we have been given the grace and power to follow Christ as His disciples. Let us harness this life for holiness and evangelization.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts.

29 While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to  think: Our Father in heaven has joyfully bestowed on us His Kingdom. This is a promise we need to claim every day. them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. 30 Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 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. 32 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.”

Thank You Lord for: __________________

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Amos 4-6

ANCIENT ROLE MODELS

Last year, the whole world was shocked when the US Supreme Court effectively redefined marriage in a decision. Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites immediately went on overdrive, with both sides of the controversial issue taking the discussion to a whole new level of shrillness.

      While our contemporary world seems to become more polarized about so many issues that once were not really contentious, Nineveh was not exactly a holy place either. Nineveh was a place of sinners, to put it bluntly. They were rebellious, founded as it is by the same one who built the Tower of Babel and who inspired resistance against orthodox Jewish teachings.

       Now, Jonah, who was a Jew, was not an enthusiastic preacher. He was reluctant to go and preach to the Ninevites. But the Ninevites, whom Jonah mistrusted, turned out to be good listeners. They eventually repented, despite the foot-dragging and whining of Jonah.

       The queen of the south (Shebah) was not a Jew. But she had an eye for discerning who really had the goods. And she found Solomon worth listening to, for in him she saw the wisdom she was looking for.

    We all could learn a thing or two from both the queen and the Ninevites. That precious lesson has to do with giving God and His prophets a chance to be heard — giving His teaching some room in our cluttered lives. Despite our strong positions for or against controversial issues, we could do a Jonah, and think better about preaching with eagerness in God’s name. We also could do a Ninevite, who took to the task of repentance soon enough.

       But the best role model for me was the non-Jewish queen. Seeing that Solomon talked sense, she listened and obeyed. But today, someone greater than Jonah, Solomon and the queen is here with us: Jesus. We would do well to listen to them! Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are there some people whom you idolize? What are their best traits? Do they inspire you to be the best you can be?

Thank You for coming to our lives, Lord Jesus. You are greater than all the prophets and idols that ever existed. Amen.