Reflection on the Gospel of Monday Week 6 by Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

SIGH FROM THE HEART IN PLACE OF SIGN FROM HEAVEN

 (Mark 8:11-13)

Today, the Pharisees came seeking for signs from Jesus. They demanded of Him a sign from heaven. But that was not a genuine demand, it was a test. Testing God? Doubting the power of God? Subjecting God under human expectations? It wasn't funny at all.

Jesus was dumbfounded. He was speechless. All He could do was just to respond with a sigh from the heart. He saw the insincerity of the men. He knew what they were seeking. What they wanted was not from heaven. They were asking for a sign from heaven, but their hearts were not fixed on things of heaven. They were asking for a sign from heaven but were unable to perceive the greatest love of God in their midst, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Most of the time we make Jesus to sigh. We leave God speechless. We make God to weep from the heart. We make God to ask: What are these people really looking for? What other miracles do we need? What other signs are we running helter-skelter for?

Jesus will sigh at Africa and our country Nigeria. What has God not deposited in our land? The human and mineral resources?  Are we still supposed to be looking out for anything? Are we supposed to be blaming God for anything? We are the cause of our problems. May God forgive us.

Some people keep looking out for a better wife or husband when God has given you the best in the house. What are you still looking for?

Some are created to be males, but they still look out to become females. What is your problem?

Someone is given opportunity to study or work, but He chooses to look out for other things that doesn't matter.

Listen Child of God, follow the sign God gives you in Christ through His word and daily presence. Be sincere with Him and not pharisaic. When you're open to the inspiration of God, you will receive it from heaven. When you work with divine direction you will succeed.

Let us stop putting God to the test. Let us stop deceiving ourselves thinking we can deceive God. Let's follow God and stop forcing God to follow us. Let's accept what God shows us at any point in time and stop insisting on what we want.

LET US PRAY

In human quest for signs O Lord, you have been made to sigh bitterly. Forgive us. Give us the grace to receive you. Open our eyes to accept you as our Highest and Only Good. May we shun the temptation to go after signs when you are the One all signs refer to. Bless your word in our hearts and cancel the punishments we deserve by making you sigh. Answer our prayers through Christ our Lord. Amen

God bless your Monday (6th Week, Ordinary Time, Yr B)

Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh

Image from: the Pharisees ask Jesus | Jesus second coming, Jesus lives, Jesus (pinterest.com)