Monday, February 13, 2012

The Demand for a Sign

Today's Reflections

 

 

The Demand for a Sign  

Grace and Space

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Mk 8:11-13

11The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with [Jesus], seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. 12He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.” 13Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.


Reflection:
 
No sign will be given. Why do the Pharisees seek a sign? They want proof that Jesus is truly the promised Savior. They also wish to test Jesus. They want to witness a spectacle. Like Satan in the desert (Mt 4:5-6), they tempt Jesus to do something extraordinary in order to win a following. Their demand is proof that they are lacking in faith. And because they do not have faith, their request is for mere curiosity, which Jesus refuses to satisfy.

What is needed is faith. With faith, we do not need a sign before placing our trust in Jesus. With faith, we love and follow Jesus not because of anything spectacular but because of his great love for us that made him embrace death on the cross for our salvation. There are always and surely countless signs of God’s love in our life.

Recall some of the countless signsof God’s love for you. Are you, in turn,a sign of God’s love, mercy, and forgivenessfor others?

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