Gospel MK 8:11-13

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus,
seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.
He 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.”
Then he left them, got into the boat again,
and went off to the other shore.

Reflection

“The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus,
seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.”

God has given us many signs: We recognize the crocus as a sign of spring. Geese flying south in the fall are a sign winter is on the way. A heart is a sign for love.

However, the Pharisees were asking Jesus to give them a sign to prove that He was in fact sent from God.

“He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said,
“Why does this generation seek a sign?”

To ask for a sign shows God the weakness of our faith.

Sadly, in spite of the many times Jesus has bailed me out of trouble, like the Pharisee’s, I still ask, “Jesus, please give me a sign.”

It pains me to think of Jesus saying, “How many times do I have to prove myself to this guy?”

Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

Trust and faith in God means I must go forward without proof, without a “sign.” This is the very essence of faith: to go forward without knowing.

Help me Lord, to let go of my fear which feeds my need to control.

Help me to live up to my prayer:
“O’Sacred Heart of Jesus, I put my trust in You.”

“Faith is taking the first step, even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” Martin Luther King Jr.