Gospel: Matthew
12:38-42
Some of
the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from
you.” He said to them in reply, “An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a
sign, but no sign will be given it except
the sign of Jonah the prophet. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale
three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the
earth three days and three nights. At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will
arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the
preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here. At the
judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation and condemn it,
because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and
there is something greater than Solomon here.
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Reflection:
There is
a story of a man who keeps on asking signs from Jesus. Instead of Jesus
responding to his call for a sign. It was instead the devil who responded to
him and he gave what the man wanted. This became a habit of this man: he would always
ask for a sign and the devil would always gladly grant his request. Eventually
the man became the slave of the devil.
You have
to be careful in asking for signs because somebody other than Jesus might
respond to your call. And pretend that
he is Jesus, this somebody is no other than the devil who always tries to
seduce you with his own brand of signs and miracles. Yes the devil is also
capable of creating his own brand of signs and miracles. This he does to entice
his prospects to follow him instead of Jesus.
Instead
of asking for signs from Jesus, why not ask Jesus to increase your faith? Why not
always be present in the Eucharistic celebration (Holy Mass). Why not humbly
submit yourself to the Sacrament of Reconciliation as often as possible?
Why not
have time to reflect about the words of Jesus in the bible? Why not always do
good and desire the good of your fellowmen? If you do all these, this would
result in your increase of faith. Thus you will not be asking for a sign
anymore for the reason that you now have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Are you
fond of asking for signs? – Marino J. Dasmarinas
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