Reflection for October 13 Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time: Luke 11:29-32

Gospel: Luke 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.  

At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here. 

At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.”

+ + + + + + +

Reflection:

Why do we meet or become acquainted with good and godly people? It’s for a good reason. They don’t just come into our lives by accident; it’s always for a divine purpose.

For example, when we become friends with a good and godly person, it means that God has led us to them so that we, too, may grow in goodness and godliness. We are not brought into their lives to be led astray. Jesus places these people in our path so that our hearts may be transformed and our lives renewed. That is always God’s purpose.

Some of us may listen and allow these godly friends to influence us, and as a result, we become more like Christ. But sadly, this is not always the case. There are many who choose not to listen. No matter how many times God calls them to renewal, they still harden their hearts and turn away from His voice.

Jonah, in our Gospel, was sent by God to the people of Nineveh to call them to repentance. They listened to him, and because of their repentance, God spared them from punishment. After Jonah, many more prophets were sent by God to call His people back to conversion.

When Jesus came, He continued that call to repentance and new life. Many listened to Him with open hearts and experienced deep transformation. But sadly, many also ignored His voice, hardened their hearts, and continued to live in sin.

Yet Jesus’ call to repentance did not end with His time on earth. The Lord’s invitation flows like an endless stream, reaching us today. He is still calling us to turn away from sin, to listen to His voice, and to embrace the new life He offers.

God often uses good and godly people to awaken our hearts. They are His instruments of grace, gently guiding us closer to Him. The question is not whether God is calling us—He surely is—but whether we will open our hearts and respond.

Will we allow the Lord to use the people He sends our way to lead us to deeper conversion? Will we listen to His voice today, or will we harden our hearts? — Marino J. Dasmarinas