Reflection for July 20, Monday of the Sixteenth 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:

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