Gospel of 20 July 2020
Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
Matthew 12:38-42
There is something greater than Solomon here
Some of the scribes and Pharisees spoke up. ‘Master,’ they said ‘we should like to see a sign from you.’ He replied, ‘It is an evil and unfaithful generation that asks for a sign! The only sign it will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the sea-monster for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here. On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.’
Reflexion
No one likes a boastful man. Perhaps, that may be one of the reasons why so many Americans hate their President, especially when they are treated to a daily dose of self-aggrandisement- the greatest economy, the greatest administration, the greatest country - obviously all these superlatives would ultimately suggest this - the greatest president America has ever known.
Well, today our Lord makes a similar claim, perhaps more outrageous than what Trump would ever say about himself. The scribes and Pharisees are happy to address Jesus respectfully as “Master” or “Teacher.” But that title doesn’t quite cut it. Instead of just presenting Himself as an equal of the prophet Jonah or King Solomon, Jesus pushes it further - He is “something greater than Jonah” and “something greater than Solomon.” This really sounds like a self-delusional opinion of oneself or a “puffing” you would hear from a salesman.
But this is no boast. For God to say that He is greater than all His creatures is no boasting; for what is true cannot be a boast. All of the planets are but tiny specks of sand in His vast Universe. Space, time, eternity, all these are as nothing before Him; and for Him, to compare or even to contrast Him with one of His own creatures is not pride but supreme condescension.
But our Lord was not just comparing Himself to Jonah and Solomon. He was also making a comparison between His audience and the audience of these two Old Testament figures. The wicked population of Nineveh and the Queen of the South were pagans. By making this comparison, our Lord was saying that these pagans exhibited more faith than the scribes and Pharisees. If these Gentiles responded to Jonah and Solomon, how much more should the scribes and Pharisees respond positively to Jesus. For “something greater than Jonah” and "something greater than Solomon” is here.
Yes, our Lord is greater than Jonah the Prophet. A prophet is a mere messenger who is sent to deliver the word of God. But here we have Jesus, the Incarnate Word of God. If Jonah survived the belly of the whale for three days, Jesus would rise from the belly of death in three days. Our Lord is greater than Solomon. Solomon was renowned for his wisdom. But here we have Jesus, Holy Wisdom, the source from which all wisdom flows. If Solomon’s name suggests that he is a man of peace, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. If Solomon had built the Temple which was eventually destroyed, Jesus is the New Temple, indestructible and eternal, and we, the members of His Body, are the living stones that are building blocks in this Temple (1 Peter 2:5).
If pagans were moved by the preaching of Jonah and a foreign Queen would travel from afar to marvel at the wisdom of Solomon; should we not fall at the feet of the One who is greater than Jonah and Solomon, the One who created the universe and who will one day judge the living and the dead?
If our Saviour is far greater than Jonah and Solomon, then we must fully believe it, enthusiastically own it, and prepare to proclaim it. Let us be resolved to speak greater things of Christ than we have done, to love Him more and serve Him better, and to make Him, in our own estimation and in the world’s, greater than He has ever been.