"Let's not ignore the greatness of Jesus our Lord"

Jesus taught that greatness is not about power, but about serving others.

It is an encouragement to live in a way that reflects Jesus's example,

which includes loving without limits and giving without expecting anything in return. 

 

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Romans 1:1-7

From Paul,

A servant of Jesus Christ, an apostle, called and set apart for God's Good News,

the very promises he foretold through his prophets in the sacred Scriptures,

regarding his Son, who was born in the flesh a descendant of David, and has been recognized as the Son of God,

endowed with Power, upon rising from the dead, through the Holy Spirit.

Through him, Jesus Christ, our Lord, and for the sake of his name,

we received grace, and mission in all the nations, for them to accept the faith.

 

All of you, the elected of Christ, are part of them, you, the beloved of God in Rome,

called to be holy: May God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ, give you grace and peace.

 

Ps 98:1, 2-3ab, 3cd-4

The Lord has made known his salvation.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊     

Luke 11:29-32

As the crowd increased, Jesus spoke the following words: "People of the present time are troubled people.

They ask for a sign, but no sign will be given to them except the sign of Jonah.

As Jonah became a sign for the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be a sign for this generation.

The Queen of the South will rise up on Judgment Day with the people of these times and accuse them,

for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and here, there is greater than Solomon.

The people of Nineveh will rise up on Judgment Day with the people of these times and accuse them,

for Jonah's preaching made them turn from their sins, and here, there is greater than Jonah.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"Let's not ignore the greatness of Jesus our Lord."

In his letter to the Romans, Saint Paul professes the greatness of Jesus "as the Son of God, endowed with Power."

Paul understood that his mission was to make known to the pagan nations that Christ had died for them, and for all, so that they might be redeemed.

Thus, Paul's missionary journeys, his letters, his sufferings and martyrdom were all focused on proclaiming the greatness of Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

However, that greatness was not universally recognized by those who heard Paul, just as today many still refuse to accept Christ.

 

Yet, this was also true from the time of Jesus' own ministry. He had already shown his divine power in healing,

and yet they wanted another sign before they would accept his message of repentance.

And so, Jesus challenges the people for their lack of faith, since pagans had responded to God's servants in the past with more eagerness than

these people had shown even though Jesus is "greater than Solomon greater than Jonah."

Let's not ignore the greatness of Jesus our Lord, but profess it and depend upon it.