Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 1, 2023
Psalm 51
1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.4Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.6Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.9Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.11Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.13Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.15O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.16For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.18Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem;19then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Gospel: Luke 11.29-32
29When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, "This generation is an evil generation. It seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.30For as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.31The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.32The men of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.
Sermon
The Gospel passage today is a powerful reminder of the importance of faith and repentance. Jesus speaks to a crowd that is seeking a sign, a way to test His authenticity. He tells them that no sign will be given, except the sign of Jonah, referencing the prophet who called the people of Nineveh to repentance. Jesus then contrasts the current generation with those who responded to Jonah’s preaching and the queen of the South who sought Solomon’s wisdom. He emphasizes that the current generation has been given something greater than Jonah and Solomon—Himself—and yet they still resist believing.
This passage is set in the context of Jesus’ ministry, where He is being tested by the Pharisees and the crowd. They are seeking a sign, not out of genuine faith, but to challenge His authority. Jesus’ response is a call to recognize the signs that are already present—in His teachings, miracles, and presence among them. The people of Nineveh and the queen of the South serve as examples of those who responded with faith and humility to the wisdom and message they received. Jesus is calling His audience, and us, to a similar response.
In our daily lives, we often find ourselves seeking signs or assurances before fully committing to God. We might question His presence or doubt His plan for us. But Jesus reminds us that He is the ultimate sign, the revelation of God’s love and wisdom. Like the queen of the South and the people of Nineveh, we are called to repentance and faith. Let us not harden our hearts but instead open ourselves to the truth that is already before us. May we respond with humility and trust, recognizing the greatness of what God has given us in Jesus Christ.