Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

“Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”

Gospel Reading: Matthew 12:38-42

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." 39 But he answered them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign; but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the South will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something greater than Solomon is here.

Are we no different a society then was present at the time of Jesus. I think Christ would still call us an “evil and adulterous generation.” What was the sign of Jonah? Why do we still ask for proof or scientific evidence of the existence of God? People still today try to prove that the historical Jesus existed through ancient writing and artifacts. Why do we demand proof that Jesus was around. We should be focused on living the life of Jesus and not trying to validate his existence. It becomes a matter of faith. In today’s gospel message, the Pharisees and the scribes demand to see a sign from Jesus so they can validate that he is the messenger from God. What does Jesus mean by adulterous in today’s reading. He is referring to their spiritual infidelity. They questioned God and they demanded God give them a sign. Jesus tells them that he is the sign and they should need no other. The Pharisees and the scribes rejected Jesus as the sign. They could not accept him as the Son of God. For some reason, healing people, freeing them from their internal demons and bringing people back from the dead was not enough. To believe in God and recognize the signs which he so clearly provides to us should be enough for us yet at times we demand a sign. We say to him, “If only …, then I would believe.”

God performs miracles before our very eyes so we can witness his greatness. What other signs do we need? Instead, we allow the darkness of evil in the world to blind our vision. When we witness a miracle, we should fall to our knees and praise the blessing which he has bestowed upon us; that he has provided a sign so we may believe. Jesus told the Jews that “Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” This would be the ultimate sign proving that he is truly the Son of God, the Messiah. It is ok to have doubts, but do not let your doubts become demands of God. We should seek the answer and not allow the doubts to grow into demands of our God. We just need to open our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to fill us with wisdom and he will show us his glory. Miracles occur every day. If we wish to have the wisdom of the Holy Spirit in us, we must humble ourselves to the Lord.

A Simple Prayer:

“Lord Jesus, fill me with your Holy Spirit that I may grow in wisdom and knowledge of your love and truth.

Free me from stubborn pride and willfulness that I may wholly desire to do what is pleasing to you.”

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon