No sign for you!

Our Lord’s response in today’s Gospel (Mark 8:11-13) may seem a bit abrupt and negative to some, as if he were reacting merely from frustration and exasperation.

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.”

But it is not mere frustration: it is grief – grief at the hardness of the Pharisees’ hearts.

They say they seek a sign but their hearts and minds are solidly opposed to Christ.

The truth is that although signs can be helpful, they are can almost always be “explained away” or their meaning twisted by people who choose to do so.

Rather than look for signs, we do well to follow the advice of today’s first reading (James 1:1-11):

If any of you lacks wisdom,
he should ask God
who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly,
and he will be given it.

But he should ask in faith,
not doubting,
for the one who doubts
is like a wave of the sea
that is driven and tossed about by the wind.

For that person must not suppose
that he will receive anything from the Lord,
since he is a man of two minds,
unstable in all his ways.

Let our prayer to the Lord be that of the Responsorial Psalm (119:67,68,71,72,75,76)

You are good and bountiful;
teach me your statutes.