Catholic Men’s Daily Devotional and Bible Study – 28th Week in Ordinary time – Monday – Luke 11:29-32

The Gospel reading from the Mass for Monday of the 28th Week of Ordinary Time is Luke 11:29-32.

After mysteriously exalting the Virgin Mary and the blessedness of those who hear and do God’s will, Christ offers a prophetic proclamation of His divinity. Great crowds surround Him and He perceives that they are seeking a “sign”; they fail to see the most Perfect Sign, Jesus Christ, is standing before them.

Christ blasts the crowd’s worldly curiosity, calling them an “evil and adulterous generation” (Greek). This is a stunning and violent rebuke; it judges the crowd to be as bad as the faithless Jews who were excluded from the Promised Land by God (Deut 1:35; 32:5; 29:1-3).

Continuing to refer to Scripture, Christ now makes astounding claims about Himself and His enemies. He reveals that He is the Son of Man (the promised Messiah) and that He is greater than the great prophet Jonah; cryptically, Christ reveals that He will be entombed for 3 days/nights in the earth, like Jonah was entombed in the whale. Referring to Israel’s second greatest king, Solomon, Christ claims to be greater. Christ greatly insults the Jews by revealing that the pagan men of Nivea and the pagan queen of the South, would condemn them.

Awed by Jesus Christ – As the Author of Scripture, the Divine Prophet uses Scripture to teach, rebuke His enemies and to reveal His Divinity. Divine King, Christ is fearless and combative, prepared to confront the idle curiosity and false faith of the crowds. Son of Man, Christ demonstrates the power of righteous indignation for those who take God for granted.  Divine Judge, Christ warns of the coming Judgment and that the evil will be condemned.

Being a Heroic Catholic Man

1) In the technology-driven consumerism of today, men are mesmerized by the latest “shiny thing”; the awe of the ancient is being lost. Reflect on Christ’s drawing on Salvation History (some 1000 years previously) from the Old Testament (which He inspired to be written!) and how He surpasses all human expectations of greatness.

2) Shocking to some, Christ’s condemnation of the “evil generation” points to the truth that whole societies can become perverted; we are living in a time when society becoming increasingly evil. Review the Communal Character of the Human Vocation (CCC 1878-1896) and pray for Christ to use you to help in the conversion of society, beginning with your family, parish and city.

3) Christ uses the truth of Scripture (Jonah, Solomon) to explain that the holiness of the past has not been passed along to the current generation. Reflect upon The Transmission of Divine Revelation (CCC 74-100) and pray for Christ to help you grow in wisdom of the faith and to evangelize society.

Spiritual Practices – Include in Today’s Prayers

Sacred Mystery of Rosary – The Joyful Mysteries

Daily Devotion – The Souls in Purgatory

Virtue of the Day – Prudence

Corporal Work of Mercy – To give drink to the thirsty

Spiritual Work of Mercy – To instruct the ignorant