The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today present our desire to understand what signs, if any, guide us to understand what God requires from His people.
The Reading from the Prophet Micah identifies three actions that the LORD requires of us.
* [6:1–5] The Lord, through the prophet, initiates a legal case against the people. The initial calls (vv. 1–2) signal the beginning of a trial, and the proclamation that the Lord intends to enter into a legal dispute with Israel. One would expect accusations to follow such an introduction, but instead the Lord speaks in self-defense, reciting mighty acts done in behalf of Israel (vv. 3–5).
* [6:5] The Lord calls for the people to remember the saving events of the past, from the encounters with Balak and Balaam (Nm 22:23) during the wandering in the wilderness to the entrance into the promised land (“from Shittim to Gilgal,” Jos 3–5).
* [6:6–8] These verses continue the previous unit (6:1–5), the dialogue between the Lord and the people in the pattern of a trial. The Lord has initiated proceedings against them, and they ask how to re-establish the broken relationship with God (vv. 6–7), and are given an answer (v. 8). The form of the passage borrows from a priestly liturgical pattern. When worshipers came to the temple, they inquired of the priest concerning the appropriate offering or sacrifice, and the priest answered them (see Ps 15; 24; Is 1:10–17; Am 5:21–24).
* [6:7] The questions reach their climax with the possibility of child sacrifice, a practice known in antiquity (cf. 2 Kgs 16:3; 21:6).
* [6:8] To do justice refers to human behavior in relationship to others. To love goodness refers to the kind of love and concern which is at the heart of the covenant between the Lord and Israel; it is persistently faithful. To walk humbly with your God means to listen carefully to the revealed will of God. (Micah, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 50 proclaims that what God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience.
* [Psalm 50] A covenant lawsuit stating that the sacrifice God really wants is the sacrifice of praise accompanied by genuine obedience (cf. Mi 6:1–8). It begins with a theophany and the summoning of the court (Ps 50:1–6). Then in direct address God explains what is required of the faithful (Ps 50:7–15), rebukes the hypocritical worshiper (Ps 50:16–21), and concludes with a threat and a promise (Ps 50:22–23; cf. Is 1:19–20). (Psalms, PSALM 50 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus responds to the Demand for a Sign from the scribes and Pharisees.
* [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.
* [12:38] Teacher: see note on Mt 8:19. In Mt 16:1 the request is for a sign “from heaven” (Mk 8:11). (Matthew, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)
Desiree Nownes observes that we seek signs in our lives to tell us whether we are doing the right thing or whether we should choose one thing over another. We ask for guidance and advice when troubling events occur. The unknown is as exciting as it is scary.
With the state of the world, I admit I am troubled and often ask for guidance in a world that seems to have forgotten that love and truth are not opposites but are in communion with one another. If love is the order from God, why do judgment and hate get a front seat to all the preachers on Sundays? God calls us to love, to forgive, to trust in faith, not by sight but by hope. I am renewed in my faith when I reflect on these teachings and readings from Christ’s path. Listen for God’s voice to speak to you and renew a heart full of caring and forgiveness. I faithfully pray for the hearts of men and women to turn to love and peace. Through these moments of reflection, may we all pray for a more Christ-like way of moving forward together.
Psalm 95 – If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts. (Nownes, 2026)
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) (Schwager, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the texts for today. Micah speaks a plea that God makes in Hebrew or a “RIB” It is usually a law suit, God calls them to be witness to the trial coming but they turned to sin. How can they regain oneness with the Lord ? Micah simply advises three requirements: do right; love goodness; and walk humbly with God. Friar Jude suggests we start with simply “Be a good kind person”. In the Gospel of Matthew, the Pharisees ask Jesus for a sign as proof of His being the Messiah. Jesus cites the sign of Jonah as His response. Friar Jude offers two interpretations of this sign. The 3 days of Jonah in the belly of the whale are a sign of Jesus' three days in the tomb and the preaching and conversion of Nineveh. Pagans are converting in Matthew’s Gospel, written for a Jewish audience. This suggests the pagans are more ready to receive Christ than the Jews? Friar Jude notes that the pagan Queen of the South was seeking greater wisdom than the wisdom of Solomon. Everything that was said in the Hebrew Testament was referring to Jesus as Wisdom Incarnate.
The Word Among Us Meditation on Micah 6:1-4, 6-8 comments that from the beginning, God knew every situation we would face. He knew what our family would be like. He knew the struggles we would encounter growing up. Nothing in our life comes as a shock to him. No matter what our situation may be, his overflowing grace is always available to us.
So remember that no matter how complex the world becomes, God’s promises remain as simple as the day you were born. He has called you by name, and everything you need is found in him. Nothing brings him more joy than when you turn to him for guidance in every situation. He wants to walk with you every step. All he asks is that you walk humbly with him!
“Holy Spirit, teach me how to walk humbly with my Father.” (Meditation on Micah 6:1-4, 6-8, n.d.)
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, shares his deep respect and admiration for the Missionaries of Charity, the community of sisters founded by Mother Teresa (1910–1987) in Calcutta, India. He spent three days immersed in the life, spirit, and ministries of Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity community at the motherhouse in Calcutta—a year after her death.
Through that experience, I finally met a “conservative” yet fully contemporary form of religious life that I could trust. The sisters were not rigid; rather, they were simply devoted women. They did not need security, answers, and order, as we see in most traditionalist movements in the West. In fact, they were willing to live without security, with very few answers to their questions of mind and heart, and amid almost total disorder. All in union—hour by hour—with God. They lived that amazing and rare combination of utter groundedness and constant risk-taking that always characterizes the true gospel.
The sisters don’t waste time fixing, controlling, or even needing to understand what is wrong with other people. Instead, they put all of their time and energy into letting God change them. From that transformed place, they serve and carry the pain of the world, which they are convinced is the pain of God. This is the synthesis on a communal level that I am always seeking. I have encountered it in many individuals, but hardly ever in public and social form. (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate the signs on our journey that point to the action that God offers to us to increase our Wisdom of the Divine Path to live our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader.
References
Matthew, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 20, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/matthew/12?
Meditation on Micah 6:1-4, 6-8. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved July 20, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/07/20/1626981/
Micah, CHAPTER 6 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 20, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/micah/6?
Nownes, D. (2026, July 20). Daily Reflection July 20, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved July 20, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-july-20-2026
Psalms, PSALM 50 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved July 20, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/50?
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Saint Teresa of Calcutta: A Mother to Many. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved July 20, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/saint-teresa-of-calcutta-a-mother-to-many/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). An Adulterous Generation Seeks for a Sign. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved July 20, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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