Signs of the Way of Love

 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.

Sign of Hope

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/ 

Service for Full Life

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to examine our response to the prompting of the Spirit to be servants of the Love of God.

Living in Service

The reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah describes the Suffering Servant, a Light to the Nations.

* [42:1–4] Servant: three other passages have been popularly called “servant of the Lord” poems: 49:1–7; 50:4–11; 52:13–53:12. Whether the servant is an individual or a collectivity is not clear (e.g., contrast 49:3 with 49:5). More important is the description of the mission of the servant. In the early Church and throughout Christian tradition, these poems have been applied to Christ; cf. Mt 12:18–21.

* [42:3] Bruised reed…: images to express the gentle manner of the servant’s mission.

* [42:4] Coastlands: for Israel, the world to the west: the islands and coastal nations of the Mediterranean. (Isaiah, CHAPTER 42, n.d.)

Psalm 27 is a triumphant song of confidence.

* [Psalm 27] Tradition has handed down the two sections of the Psalm (Ps 27:1–6; 7–14) as one Psalm, though each part could be understood as complete in itself. Asserting boundless hope that God will bring rescue (Ps 27:1–3), the psalmist longs for the presence of God in the Temple, protection from all enemies (Ps 27:4–6). In part B there is a clear shift in tone (Ps 27:7–12); the climax of the poem comes with “I believe” (Ps 27:13), echoing “I trust” (Ps 27:3). (Psalms, PSALM 27, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Mary anoints Jesus and the plot to kill Lazarus is revealed.

* [12:1–8] This is probably the same scene of anointing found in Mk 14:3–9 (see note there) and Mt 26:6–13. The anointing by a penitent woman in Lk 7:36–38 is different. Details from these various episodes have become interchanged.

* [12:3] The feet of Jesus: so Mk 14:3; but in Mt 26:6, Mary anoints Jesus’ head as a sign of regal, messianic anointing.

* [12:5] Days’ wages: literally, “denarii.” A denarius is a day’s wage in Mt 20:2; see note on Jn 6:7.

* [12:7] Jesus’ response reflects the rabbinical discussion of what was the greatest act of mercy, almsgiving or burying the dead. Those who favored proper burial of the dead thought it an essential condition for sharing in the resurrection. (John, CHAPTER 12, n.d.)

George Butterfield shares a little of how St. Basil the Great waged his own war on poverty.

St. Basil’s efforts didn’t eradicate poverty. No, Jesus was right: we will always have the poor with us. But he shows us how one person can make a difference. He personally did what he could for the poor. He encouraged others to do what they could individually for the poor. And then he organized a number of group efforts to serve the poor. He inspires me to make changes in my life and be more responsive to the needs of the poor. Perhaps he will encourage you, too.

St. Basil, pray for us. (Butterfield, 2023)

Don Schwager quotes God first loved us, by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"Fulfill the commandments out of love. Could anyone refuse to love our God, so abounding in mercy, so just in all His ways? Could anyone deny love to Him Who first loved us despite all our injustice and all our pride? Could anyone refuse to love God Who so loved us as to send His only Son not only to live among human beings but also to be put to death for their sake and at their own hands?." (excerpt from Catechetical Instructions 39) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 12:1-11 asks where do we fit in this picture? How much do we value Jesus? Of course, we want to be like Mary. We want to be completely unselfish. We want to give everything we have so that we can follow the Lord. And yet, like Judas, we are tempted at times to go our own way or to keep something back for ourselves.

It’s Holy Week. And that makes it a good time to look for ways to imitate Mary’s devotion. Especially this week, don’t hold back. You can’t anoint Jesus with expensive oil like Mary did, but you can still worship him. You can still invite him into areas of your life that you might have kept sealed off in the past. You can still commit yourself to love and follow him. You’ll find that the closer you get to Jesus and the more of your heart you give to him, the less important other things will seem. Like Mary, you’ll want to give him everything.

“Lord, I want to worship you with my whole heart. I give myself to you completely!” (Meditation on John 12:1-11, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the first appearance of the gentle figure, the Suffering Servant, in Deutero-Isaiah who is called to bring justice to the nations. Anointing was a sign of great respect and for Jesus a preparation for burial. Friar Jude comments on the distinction Mother Teresa made between social work and love.

Barbara Holmes eventually said “yes” to God’s call. She encourages listeners to remain open and faithful to God’s invitations to serve.

As I was standing at graduation from law school, I heard a voice say to me, “This isn’t it.” And I kind of startled, and I said to my girlfriend who was standing in line with me to get our degrees, “I just heard a voice say, ‘This is not it.’” And she started laughing. She said, “Well, you sure have wasted a lot of time.”…

There was nothing to do but hear the whispering, continue my practices. And I now allow life to lead me to the precipice of the newness that was already seeded in my life…. 

Trust God, trust the Holy Spirit to lead you into all truth. Make your intention clear, that yes, you will follow as called, without exception. Just make your intention known to God and wait for the Holy Spirit to lead you into the fulfillment of your vocation. [2] (Holmes, 2023)

We are called to live out our Baptismal anointing as priest, prophet, and leader in piety, study, and action as we surrender to the Will of God for our lives.

References

Butterfield, G. (2023, April 3). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/040323.html 

Holmes, B. (2023, April 3). Fleeing the Call — Center for Action and Contemplation. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/fleeing-the-call-2023-04-03/ 

Isaiah, CHAPTER 42. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/isaiah/42?1 

John, CHAPTER 12. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/12?1 

Meditation on John 12:1-11. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/04/03/643909/ 

Psalms, PSALM 27. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/27?1 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture ... Retrieved April 3, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=apr3