The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to recall our experience of being directed by the Spirit of God to take or reject a particular course of action.
The reading from the Book of Exodus is the explanation to Moses of how the Egyptians shall know that I am the Lord.
* [14:9] Horsemen: the usage here may be anachronistic, since horsemen, or cavalry, play a part in warfare only at the end of the second millennium B.C.1
Exodus 15:1-6 is known as the Song of Moses.
* [15:1–21] This poem, regarded by many scholars as one of the oldest compositions in the Bible, was once an independent work. It has been inserted at this important juncture in the large narrative of Exodus to celebrate God’s saving power, having miraculously delivered the people from their enemies, and ultimately leading them to the promised land.2
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus refers to the Sign of Jonah.
* [12:38–42] This section is mainly from Q (see Lk 11:29–32). Mk 8:11–12, which Matthew has followed in Mt 16:1–4, has a similar demand for a sign. The scribes and Pharisees refuse to accept the exorcisms of Jesus as authentication of his claims and demand a sign that will end all possibility of doubt. Jesus’ response is that no such sign will be given. Because his opponents are evil and see him as an agent of Satan, nothing will convince them.3
Angela Maynard explains the reason this reading troubled her is because she is a big believer in signs. She is always on the lookout for signs that might provide direction when she is faced with an important decision, or just looking for comfort. As she reflects on today’s readings, she cannot help but think that this is not wrong. She is always amazed at the messages sent to her from God, often at just the right time. They only serve to strengthen her faith.
Several families went to dinner just before the Friday night gathering. The only space that would accommodate all of us was outdoors. The host at the restaurant alerted us to the forecast that predicted approaching thunderstorms that were to last for the entire weekend! We assured the host that we were willing to take the chance and would take the outdoor seating. As we sat outside catching up, we heard a cardinal. We looked for the cardinal and spotted him on a power line near our table. Everybody decided that it was my Dad watching over all of us. You see, my Dad worked for the local power company for many years. Ironically, he loved a good thunderstorm. We were able to finish our meal and head to the gathering place for the evening. While the rain held off through dinner, as we gathered for the ‘opening ceremonies’ the clouds opened up! Not only did the predicted thunderstorms arrive, but a tornado was spotted in the area and the sirens sounded. This close-knit bunch numbering more than 70 huddled in the shelter of my cousin’s house. The storm blew over and we moved back outside where the laughing and story-telling continued.4
Don Schwager quotes “The stumbling block of the cross,” from an anonymous early Christian teacher.
"What is the sign of Jonah? The stumbling block of the cross. So it is not the disputers of knowledge who will be saved but those who believe true teaching. For the cross of Christ is indeed a stumbling block to those who dispute knowledge but salvation to those who believe. Paul testifies to this: 'But we, for our part, preach the crucified Christ - to the Jews indeed a stumbling block and to the Gentiles foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ, the power of God and the wisdom of God' (1 Corinthians 1:23-24). Why do the Jews seek signs and the Greeks seek wisdom? God pointed to the sign of the stumbling block of the cross to both the Jews and the Greeks. Thus those who wish to find Christ not through faith but through wisdom will perish on the stumbling block of foolishness. Those who wish to know the Son of God not through faith but through a demonstration of signs will remain trapped in their disbelief, falling on the stumbling block of his death. It is no small wonder that the Jews, considering the death of Christ, thought he was merely a man, when even Christians - as they purport to be but really are not - because of his death are reluctant to declare the only begotten, the crucified, as incomparable majesty. (excerpt from INCOMPLETE WORK ON MATTHEW, HOMILY 30)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Matthew 12:38-42 comments that we can’t let our own presumptions close us off to how God wants to speak to us. We also don’t want to be tempted to discouragement when a sign doesn’t appear in the form we expect or desire. Nor do we want to place any limits on how God wants to act in a specific situation.
So go ahead and ask Jesus for a sign. But be open as well to other ways in which he might be speaking to you. Whatever sign you are seeking, remember that ultimately, Jesus himself is the most powerful sign that God our Father has given us. He is the sign of God’s love and care for us—and there is no greater sign than that! “Jesus, as I am looking for signs, help me not to miss your presence in my life.”6
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, notes that what is called the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s Gospel (5:1–7:29) is called the Sermon on the Plain in Luke’s Gospel (6:20–49). What we call in Matthew the Eight Beatitudes, we call in Luke the Blessings and Woes (four of each). Today we will look at the four blessings.
Blessed are you who are poor.
What a strange thing to say! Does anyone really think today that the poor are blessed? I don’t think so. Most of us are enthralled by capitalism and think it is the rich who are blessed. We have even turned the Gospel into a “prosperity” message—that if we have enough faith, God rewards us with financial success. That sure doesn’t sound like what Jesus is saying here! Scholars teach that Luke was talking to a poor community, and so in this passage Jesus is affirming the poor directly. He doesn’t soften things like Matthew does for his more well-off community by saying “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
Blessed are you who are now hungry.
Jesus seems to be teaching that we need to choose at least a bit of dissatisfaction—which is the human situation anyway—so that we long for God. God alone is the One who will finally satisfy us.
Blessed are you who weep now.
Weeping doesn’t sound like a very positive thing, but people who have gone through major grief often tend to be more compassionate, more forgiving and understanding. Somehow, grief softens the heart.
Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and insult you, and denounce your name as evil on account of the Human One.
Talk about an upside-down universe! I’m not happy when people hate me—and some people do hate me. Jesus is saying that we have to find our happiness somewhere other than in people’s opinions about us. If we don’t, it’s just up and down, constantly assessing, who likes me today? If we want to build our life on a solid foundation, we need to base it on God who loves us unconditionally, constantly, and without exception. Then we don’t go up and down. We know who we are now and forever.7
As we journey as Beatitude people, we experience nudges from the Holy Spirit to help us seek the best path to fullness of life.
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