Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Every evening my husband and I read scripture. As part of our discussion, we often comment about what it would have been like to live at the time of Jesus- to be a person in the crowd listening to him preach. Today’s reading would certainly be one of those days when I wonder what the people were thinking. Jesus rebukes the people for seeking a “sign”. Now these were the same people who would have witnessed Jesus healing people, calming a storm, feeding 5000 people, and raising people from the dead. Exactly what kind of sign did they need? And yet, before I judge too quickly, I think that I probably have been equally guilty of demanding signs from God, when all around me are clear messages of His presence and His work of love in this world. I believe that we need to have our blinders removed with God’s grace so we can see the many signs of how he is working in the world around us. If we fail to recognize and believe, then we too can become the “evil generation” who refuses to acknowledge Christ’s work in our world. We will also lose the potential for His healing, love and mercy to transform all things.
In the Gospel reading, a large crowd was gathering around Jesus. What were they looking for? What sign were they expecting to find? Jesus tells them that those of previous times were able to see the signs and turn to God. Jesus says “something greater” is here in the midst of them, and yet they could not see. What prevented the crowds from believing in Jesus? There were plenty of amazing signs and miracles that were part of his ministry. I wonder if it was the expectation of how God should work that made it difficult for them to believe. Maybe they were expecting fire and brimstone or a great powerful conquest of the current government. What they saw in healings and feeding crowds was almost too “ordinary” to convince them of God’s work among them. Their narrow minded view of how God should work kept them from being transformed by Christ’s love and becoming part of His kingdom.
It is easy to think that if we had witnessed the amazing miracles of Jesus that we would drop everything and follow Him wherever He went. And yet, I believe that even in this day and age, there are many signs of God that pervade our world, and yet we do not always recognize them.
The world itself- creation- with all of its complexity, diversity, and beauty- if that doesn’t shout out about the amazing gift of God’s love then I think we truly are blind. Prayer and scripture is another sign of God’s presence in our lives. It takes time and openness to be aware and listen, but if you approach with open heart and mind, God speaks.
Human relationships are another striking sign of God’s presence- the love of husband/ wife, child/ parent, or close friends is a visible sign of God working and loving here in this world. Yes there is pain, and suffering, and hatred, but this love of God within the human person can overcome those evils- if only we believe.
Like the people listening to Jesus in today’s reading, I think that Jesus may be rebuking us as we look for signs of Him and fail to see Jesus right in front of us. In our human brothers and sisters, in nature, and in our relationship with Jesus, we can find the signs that we need to allow our faith to grow and blossom. I don’t think that we are able to be attentive to these signs unless we are given God’s Spirit to open our hearts and minds. Today let us pray for an increase in God’s grace in our lives, so we can see the signs of God all around us. Aware of His presence, may we gratefully live our lives sharing that love with others and giving God the glory He deserves.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for Jesus- the perfect sign of Your love for us. May Your Spirit fill us, so as we recognize your Presence in the world around us, we may share Jesus’ message of compassion and mercy. May our deeper faith bring us ever closer to You, and may all we do give you praise. We pray this through Christ, our LORD. Amen."
Marylynn Herchline