Daily Catholic Mass Readings for March 1, 2023
Psalm 51
1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.2Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.4Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.5Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.6Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.7Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.9Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.10Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.11Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.12Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.13Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.14Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.15O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.16You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.18In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.19Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
Gospel: Luke 11.29-32
29As the crowds increased, Jesus said, "This is a wicked generation. It asks for a miraculous sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.30For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation.31The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here.32The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now one 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.