Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 1, 2023
Psalm 51
1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
Gospel: Luke 11.29-32
29And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign; and there shall no sign be given it, but the sign of Jonas the prophet.30For as Jonas was a sign unto the Ninevites, so shall also the Son of man be to this generation.31The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation, and condemn them: for she came from the utmost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon is here.32The men of Nineve shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas 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.