Road signs are very important
and helpful, especially if one is not familiar with the road. It tells
motorists where to go, how to go there, what the rules, are, etc. They help
keep people safe. However, signs would only be able to do that if motorists
know what the signs mean, and if these signs are followed properly.
Sometimes, or a lot of times,
we want those kinds of tangible signs from God too.
Why not?
Who would not want affirmation or assurance of
what God wants us to do in a specific situation? Who would not want what God
wants us to choose, or where he wants us to go? Even people in the bible asked
for signs from God.
However, it can also be taken
out of bounds.
In the gospel we see Jesus
telling the Pharisees about asking for signs. He told them that no sign will be
given to them. Why? While it is normal to ask for signs, it becomes bad
if the heart is closed to God’s signs. It is bad if the
heart wants God to conform to what we want, not for us to be
open to what God wants. This was probably what was in the hearts of the
Pharisees as they argued with Jesus. They probably did not believe in Jesus and
his signs, his works. Jesus had signs, he was healing people and driving our
evil spirits. He was preaching the Word. However, they probably wanted a
sign based on their own expectations and standards. They
wanted God to conform to what they want, that’s why Jesus said no sign will be
given to them as he sighed from the depth of his spirit. Probably out of
frustration. Probably out of sadness.
Signs will only be useful if
recognized and followed.
Aside from being open to what
the signs tell us, we should also know how to recognize signs. Drivers are
supposed to take examinations to familiarize themselves with road signs.
Research should be done. Else, signs would be useless. In the same way, we
should also exert time and effort to know God more, so we can recognize his
answers and his signs for us, and not just be closed to our idea of signs.
How about us? Do we ask for
signs and do what we can – reading the bible, praying, receiving the
sacraments, to know what God wants us to do and how God wants us to live our
lives? If we ask for signs, are we open and sensitive to get and recognize
signs not just based on what we want, but what God wants? Or do we want God to
conform to what sign we want from Him?
May we always be open to God's
signs, humble enough to receive him and not want him to conform to what we
want. And may we take time to strengthen our relationship with Him so it would
be easier to know and identify his signs.
Father God,
Thank you for today.
Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another week. Thank you for
the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I don't recognize your signs. Sorry for
being close minded to what you want, and for expecting you to do what I want.
Sorry for not doing enough work to get to know you. Lord, I pray that you
always make you presence alive in my life. Help me do my part so I will always
be sensitive to you. May I work and do my part to build a strong and personal
relationship with you, so that I would know you more and recognize you, instead
of just asking for signs. And may I always be open and humble to accept your
will in my life, especially when your answers are different from my prayers.
Amen.
Blessed
Week!
In
Christ,
-g-
February
12, 2018
Monday of the Sixth Week in
Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 335
Lectionary: 335
Reading 1 JAS 1:1-11
James, a servant of God and of
the Lord Jesus Christ,
to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings.
Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters,
when you encounter various trials,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
And let perseverance be perfect,
so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
But if any of you lacks wisdom,
he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly,
and he will be given it.
But he should ask in faith, not doubting,
for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea
that is driven and tossed about by the wind.
For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord,
since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways.
The brother in lowly circumstances
should take pride in high standing,
and the rich one in his lowliness,
for he will pass away "like the flower of the field."
For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass,
its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes.
So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings.
Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters,
when you encounter various trials,
for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
And let perseverance be perfect,
so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
But if any of you lacks wisdom,
he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly,
and he will be given it.
But he should ask in faith, not doubting,
for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea
that is driven and tossed about by the wind.
For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord,
since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways.
The brother in lowly circumstances
should take pride in high standing,
and the rich one in his lowliness,
for he will pass away "like the flower of the field."
For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass,
its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes.
So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
Responsorial Psalm PS 119:67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76
R. (77a) Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I hold to your promise.
R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.
You are good and bountiful;
teach me your statutes.
R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
that I may learn your statutes.
R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.
I know, O LORD, that your ordinances are just,
and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me.
R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.
Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.
Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I hold to your promise.
R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.
You are good and bountiful;
teach me your statutes.
R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
that I may learn your statutes.
R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.
The law of your mouth is to me more precious
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.
I know, O LORD, that your ordinances are just,
and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me.
R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.
Let your kindness comfort me
according to your promise to your servants.
R. Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.
Alleluia JN 14:6
R. Alleluia,
alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
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.
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.
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