12-Feb-18

Gospel MK 8:11-13
The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus,
seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.
He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said,
"Why does this generation seek a sign?
Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation."
Then he left them, got into the boat again,
and went off to the other shore.
Reflection:
"The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus,
seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him."
The Pharisees in today's gospel take me back to when my children were young. At times they would argue with me until they were blue in the face.
Finally, like Jesus, I would "sigh from the depths of my spirit" and say,
"No! Now that's the end of it." And would walk away.
The Pharisees were like children: so blind they could not see, so deaf they could not hear.
"Why does this generation seek a sign?
Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation."
Jesus did not feel he had to argue or prove anything to the Pharisees.
He knew that there was no point in trying to convince a person who has already made up their mind.
"Then he left them, got into the boat again,
and went off to the other shore."
Today's gospel is a reminder that I am not called to "argue" to convince people.
Instead, through my words and actions, I am called to "plant and water the seeds." Only God can bring about the growth.
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth."
1 Corinthians 3:6