Ask people the question: What does God require of you? I’m sure you’ll get plenty of answers. More on that in a moment. In our Gospel reading today from Matthew 12, some scribes and Pharisees come to Jesus asking Him for a sign. Jesus tells them that they will receive only the sign of Jonah the prophet. Only Jesus lets them know that there is something greater than Jonah, and something greater than Solomon in Him.
What does God require of us? Here are some answers that you may possibly hear to that question: Follow the commandments. Love your neighbor as yourself. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. There would probably be a large contingent of people that would tell you that God requires nothing from you. You can do whatever you want whenever you want for any reason or no reason. God will love you all the same. While God certainly loves us no matter what, some things ARE required of us. In the first reading today, the prophet Micah explains.
“You have been told, O man, what is good, and what the Lord requires of you: Only to do the right and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God.” Notice that the prophet did not say what the Lord DESIRES of you. The word is REQUIRES. Do the right. Love goodness. Walk humbly with your God. Three things. Sounds pretty simple, no? Do a little self-examination today. How are you doing with those three requirements?
Father, we know that you expect great things from your children. Help us today to do what is right, love goodness, and walk humbly with you. Amen.
Hi Gus,
I may not comment every day, but I read your post every day – and Thank You!
I have a question and I hope you can help. In today’s Gospel, Jesus speaks of being entombed for three days and three nights. This got me to searching as it did not “add up” to the Good Friday to Easter Sunday time frame.
The following is the best explanation I could find, but it’s not a Catholic source so I am hoping that you might be able to clarify.
https://www.ucg.org/the-good-news/the-surprising-sayings-of-jesus-christ-the-son-of-man-will-be-three-days-and-three
Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.
Keep us posted on your surgery. We are praying for you and won’t stop!