Daily Retreat 10/16/06
2006 Oct 16 Mon: Ordinary Weekday/ Hedwig, r/ Margaret Mary Alacoque, v
Gal 4: 22-24. 26-27. 31 5: 1/ Ps 112(113): 1b-2. 3-4. 5a and 6-7/ Lk 11: 29-32
From todays readings: For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.... Blessed be the Name of the Lord forever.... This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah....
Signs of the Times
Both the Old and the New Testament (and our own lives!) are full of signs, miraculous events when God pierced the ordinary routine of daily life with an extraordinary intervention from on high. Interestingly enough, though, Gods signs provoke a wide range of responses: some people simply ignore the signs, others dismiss them, still others are momentarily impressed but then soon forget the signs, but some are inspired to respond to Gods signs with a lifelong commitment of faith.
While its human nature to look for such miraculous signs to guide our faith, Jesus rebukes those people who demand a ceaseless supply of signs as the prerequisite for faith. Certainly, no one ever worked more miracles than Jesus, no one ever accomplished greater miracles than Jesus, no one ever spoke with greater wisdom than Jesus, no one ever demonstrated greater love than Jesus, and yet that was not enough for the evil generation at the time of Jesus, and its not enough for the evil generation of our own day, all those people who still seek signs, demanding that God do just a little bit more to assure them personally of His divinity.
Jesus directs the attention of such people to the sign of Jonah, which is the message of judgment and just condemnation. When Jonah preached to the Ninevites, the reluctant prophet didnt work any miracles to convince them, but still, his words of Gods impending judgment rang true in their hearts, and so they repented of their evil. Jesus offers to all His gospel of love, joy, and peace, but only when embraced with sacrifice, virtue, repentance and forgiveness. For those who are still undecided and ever demand more signs before making their commitment of faith, they ultimately choose to spend eternity contemplating nothing but the sign of Jonah.
Gal 4: 22-24. 26-27. 31 5: 1/ Ps 112(113): 1b-2. 3-4. 5a and 6-7/ Lk 11: 29-32
From todays readings: For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.... Blessed be the Name of the Lord forever.... This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah....
Signs of the Times
Both the Old and the New Testament (and our own lives!) are full of signs, miraculous events when God pierced the ordinary routine of daily life with an extraordinary intervention from on high. Interestingly enough, though, Gods signs provoke a wide range of responses: some people simply ignore the signs, others dismiss them, still others are momentarily impressed but then soon forget the signs, but some are inspired to respond to Gods signs with a lifelong commitment of faith.
While its human nature to look for such miraculous signs to guide our faith, Jesus rebukes those people who demand a ceaseless supply of signs as the prerequisite for faith. Certainly, no one ever worked more miracles than Jesus, no one ever accomplished greater miracles than Jesus, no one ever spoke with greater wisdom than Jesus, no one ever demonstrated greater love than Jesus, and yet that was not enough for the evil generation at the time of Jesus, and its not enough for the evil generation of our own day, all those people who still seek signs, demanding that God do just a little bit more to assure them personally of His divinity.
Jesus directs the attention of such people to the sign of Jonah, which is the message of judgment and just condemnation. When Jonah preached to the Ninevites, the reluctant prophet didnt work any miracles to convince them, but still, his words of Gods impending judgment rang true in their hearts, and so they repented of their evil. Jesus offers to all His gospel of love, joy, and peace, but only when embraced with sacrifice, virtue, repentance and forgiveness. For those who are still undecided and ever demand more signs before making their commitment of faith, they ultimately choose to spend eternity contemplating nothing but the sign of Jonah.
posted by FrPitstick | 10/15/2006
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