WHAT SIGN DO YOU SEEK FROM GOD? (HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 16th WEEK IN THE ORDINARY TIME
Mic 6:1-4,6-8 Mt 12:38-42 The Tribunal is popularly perceived as the Temple of Justice and the last hope of the common man. Ordinarily, when people feel unjustly treated they seek justice at the tribunal. In the first reading of today from the book of Prophet Micah, a case is taken to the tribunal by God himself. He although the judge, is also the accuser or petitioner. The respondent or defendant is Israel and the witnesses are the mountains, the hills and the foundation of the earth (Mic 6;1-2). We may ask, what exactly is the accusation? It is Israel's infidelity, for the word of the Lord says: “What have I done to you? Oh my people. In what have I wearied you? I brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you from the house of slavery; and I sent you Moses, Aaron and Miriam” (Mic 6:3-4). The response of Israel as the defendant is that they have come before the Lord with burnt offerings of calves and thousands of rams (Micah 6:7). However the Lord God, as the judge passe...