Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Today’s first reading from the book of Exodus contains one of the most storied passages of the Bible, namely, Moses’ parting of the Red Sea, allowing the Hebrew people to escape unscathed from the pursuit of Pharaoh’s Egyptian army. The drama of this scene transfers well into movies precisely because it is dramatic. God’s glory is shown in this marvelous deed, when he proves to his people that he loves them and will save them even when it seems impossible. God also demonstrates to the Egyptians that he is the one true God. It is a moment of triumph that brings Moses’ sister Miriam to break out in song – the song that serves as today’s responsorial psalm. Indeed, the parting of the Red Sea and the saving of the Israelite people is a cause for celebration! And yet, it is only a foreshadowing of the ultimate salvation offered to those who believe in God. God once delivered his people from the hands of Pharaoh, through the Red Sea. God has since delivered his people from the bonds of sin, through the person of Jesus the Christ.

Today we hear that person Jesus protesting the requests for a “sign.” This passage from Matthew provides an interesting contrast with the dramatic miracle of the first reading. The parting of the Red Sea was certainly a sign, so why would Jesus be so indignant about the scribes and Pharisees requesting a sign?

One answer to this question is that the scribes and Pharisees are looking at the sign himself and unable to recognize it. Imagine that the Hebrew people would have crossed the Red Sea as dry land and not noticed it – not appreciated it as a sign of God’s love for them and mercy on them. And yet, this is how many people approached Jesus, unable to recognize him for what he was. They wanted to see miracles and healings because of the excitement and drama, but they were unable to realize that the true sign was in the love and sacrifice of Jesus.

Hence Jesus here foretells his death and resurrection, comparing it to Jonah’s time in the whale. This is the ultimate sign. Jesus is a sign more important than Jonah, Solomon, or even Moses. God’s glorious triumph comes on the cross – the moment when it looks, in fact, as though all is lost.

When we meditate on the crucifixion, we may feel many things. One thing we must not overlook is that this is the symbol of God’s triumph; on the cross, God’s glory shines through. It is easy for us to be like those who seek signs, who want the drama of the parting of the Red Sea. What we are called to do, however, is to recognize Jesus as the one true sign – the Way, the Truth, and the Life. With this sign of love, delivery, and salvation before our eyes, we find our world transformed. We can share in the glory and the triumph of the cross by training ourselves to recognize God’s presence in the world, in everyday things.

Today, take some time to meditate on the crucifixion and resurrection as the ultimate sign. How might we better appreciate God’s love and presence in our own lives?

- Maria Morrow