Reflection for July 18, Monday of the 16th Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 12:38-42

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:

The story is told about a man who was fond of asking signs from God. Instead of God responding to his call for a sign. It was instead the devil who responded to his call for a sign. This became a habit of this man: he would always ask for a sign and without him knowing it the devil would always gladly grant his request. Eventually the man became the slave of the devil.  

We have to be careful in asking for signs because somebody other than God might respond to our call.  And pretend that he is God this somebody is none other than the devil who always tries to seduce us 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 victims to follow him instead of God.  

Instead of asking for signs from Jesus, why not ask Jesus to increase our faith? Why not always be present in the Eucharistic celebration (Holy Mass). Why not humbly submit ourselves 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 our fellowmen? If we do all these, this would result in our increase of faith. Thus we would not be asking for signs anymore for the reason that we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  

Are you fond of asking for signs? Be careful somebody other than God might respond to you. – Marino J. Dasmarinas