Philip Raj A. csc –
Readings: Gal 4: 22-24, 26-27, 31 – 5: 1; Lk 11: 29-32
Today’s Gospel speaks of signs, faith, and forgiveness. When the people asked for a sign, Jesus responded that the only sign they would receive was the sign of Jonah. Though Jonah initially resisted going to Nineveh, God, in his mighty power, led Jonah there to turn the hearts of the people back to him. What more signs do we need to strengthen our faith in God? Yet, we often look for signs and wonders, especially when faced with difficulties and challenges.
In the first reading, St. Paul reminds us that we have been made free through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who shed his precious blood on the cross. We are no longer under bondage or slavery; through Christ, we have inherited redemption. Despite this freedom, we sometimes burden ourselves with the yoke of sin, rejecting God’s grace and mercy. To fight the spiritual battle we face each day, we must put on the armour of Christ. Every day brings new challenges, and we need God’s grace to persevere. We must believe that, with God’s help, we can overcome all things.
When we truly repent, God is merciful and forgives us. St. Callistus, whose feast we celebrate today, exemplified this profound belief in God’s mercy. As pope, he emphasized the boundless forgiveness of God, particularly for those who had committed grave sins. He taught that no sin is beyond God’s mercy if there is true repentance, reflecting Christ’s own teachings on forgiveness. Like St. Callistus, we are called to trust in God’s endless mercy and extend that same forgiveness to others.