ASKING FOR SIGNS

ASKING FOR SIGNS

 

 

 

“…seeking from Him a sign from heaven….” – Mark 8:11

 

Many years ago, a friend of mine prayed to St. Therese and asked for a sign to confirm that her request would be granted. The following morning, she smelled the scent of fresh flowers.

A former officemate of mine related how her decision to leave her job was confirmed through the sign she requested from St. Therese: sunflowers.

I tried it out myself. I prayed to St.Therese and asked for a sign. I waited but no sign was given. I was disappointed. How come she gave signs to others and not to me?

The Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign from heaven to test Him because they claimed that Jesus’ previous miracles were not from God. Jesus did not give in to their demand. He knew that even if He performed miracles, they still would not believe.

Faith in God and in His power comes from having a deep and personal relationship with Him and not from a show of miracles and signs. I have matured in my faith and do not rely on signs anymore. Jesus is the only sign I need.Judith Concepcion (svp_jmc@yahoo.com)

 

REFLECTION:

Can you not make decisions without signs? The only sign we need is Jesus. If we walk in His ways, we will surely not stumble or fall.

 

Forgive me, Lord, for the times that I relied more on signs than on my faith in You. Help me to trust in You more. 

 

James’ Wisdom

 

There’s a story of a disfigured, ugly man who understandably hated all that is beautiful. Approaching an oasis, one day he saw a young beautiful palm tree. Angrily he put a huge stone on its top so that it would be crippled when growing up. Years later he came to the same oasis and looked for that crippled palm treeto enjoy its miserable sight. He couldn’t find it. Then the tallest and strongest palm tree bent and spoke to him: “You are looking for me, I think? Thank you for putting that heavy stone on me. Because of that I had to put more effort in my growth; I had to stretch and at the same time let my roots go deeper and deeper where they reached water. So I grew higher and stronger than the other trees.” Whether we like it or not: Trials, sufferings, crises can make or break a person. James wants us to transform them into steps towards deeper faith and trust in God.

Today’s passage from the beginning of the Letter of James points out realistically that there will always be trials. You surely agree. But to consider them as a “happy privilege” is difficult to swallow. Yet just remember yesterday’s Beatitudes and read the reason James gives for his statement. He is convinced that trials help us in our spiritual growth towards spiritual maturity.

Secondly, James says that asking for wisdom or discernment needs strong faith. We must approach God without entertaining any doubts because we must be sure of the power of love of God.

The last words of James remind us of yesterday’s Gospel, but also of Mary’s Magnificat that sings of the lowly being exalted while the proud arethrown from their thrones. Life after all is uncertain. Disaster can strike any moment — whythen put so much trust in things that easily vanish? Only God can give us what lasts for ever!Fr. Rudy Horst, SVD

 

 

Reflection Question:

How strong is my trust in God when trials come my way? Do I see them as help to gain a stronger faith?

 

Lord, thank You for giving us the letter written by James. The few verses at its beginning are so profound for my spiritual journey. May I — with Your help — follow the wisdom of James and so proceed on my journey of faith.

 

St. Jordan, pray for us.