The Demand for a Sign

Today's Reflections

The Demand for a Sign

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Lk 11:29-32

²⁹While 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. ³⁰Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. ³¹At 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. ³²At 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:

It seeks a sign. Why do people want a sign in order to believe? In Jesus’ time, some people want certainty that Jesus is truly the promised Savior. This only proves that they are lacking in faith. Despite the overwhelming signs of goodness and God’s love that Jesus performs, unbelievers still persist in their incredulity. Jesus simply does not give in to any request just to satisfy people’s curiosity.

What is needed is faith. With faith, there is no need of sign as a condition to place one’s trust in Jesus. Jesus himself is more than a sign. His works are signs that God loves us, takes care of us, and saves us. He remains compassionate and merciful.

Jesus’ opponents ask for a sign out of an evil intent. In their malice they want to test Jesus, to find a loophole by which they can accuse him of violation of the Jewish law. What they want is to see something spectacular that does not necessarily benefit anyone.

Do you put conditions

before you decide to give your heart to Jesus

and to the service of the Church?

If you do not receive the favor

or blessing you seek from the Lord,

do you look elsewhere for sources

that could give you benefits?