Luke 11: 29-32 Reflection

Gospel Lk 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them,
"This generation is an evil generation;
it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,
except the sign of Jonah.
Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,
so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
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.
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."

Reflection

Among the many provoking words of Jesus, this passage from the Bible is one which cast insult to the crowd and his followers. It might be hard to appreciate the story but everyone can understand the instruction of Jesus.  When He accuses the people belonging to an “evil generation,” he draws the surprise of everyone. Jesus uses this attention to show everyone that he is the meat of the SIGN they are waiting for to which they are to repent and believe. In fact, the words of Jesus do more than shakes the beliefs and pride of the people; recounting the faith of the supposedly faithless queen of the south, the repentance of the Ninevites, and the consequent condemnation, challenges us to acknowledge our own frailties and sinfulness.