Signs ~ reflex on Mark 8:11-13

Jesus “sighed from the depth of his spirit” when the Pharisees began to argue with him, seeking a sign from heaven.

If we skip this preface to Jesus’ words, we might easily misinterpret them. He says, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given.” And he leaves.

He sighs, tells them they will not receive what they ask, and goes away.

Why?

He is pained to the heart that they refuse to believe, even though they understand what he is saying, who he says he is. He is the ONE for whom they are waiting, and he makes this clear to them, but they have made a conscious decision to reject him. If they had not closed themselves off, the signs he already performed would be more than enough; but miracles, healings, and exorcisms are not enough for them. They want him to show off his power for them, not just help people or heal people. What they are trying to do in this exchange is discredit him in front of his followers, so they have something more to criticize. They want him to do something so dramatic that faith and trust will not be needed.

And Jesus says no. A painful, sighing, heart-wrenching no. Because he wants them to believe, receive, and be saved by him. But they refuse.

We all have these tendencies in us. Like the Pharisees, we are set in our ways and our understandings, and when the Lord calls us out of our comfort zone or asks us to give something we want to hold onto, we sometimes hide behind our unknowing so we can stay where we are. Faith is a gift, but we can reject it. We all want some kind of incontrovertible “proof” that God is with us, God is for us, and God loves us deeply. The proofs that he has already given sometimes don’t seem convincing because they have become too commonplace and familiar: God became man, taught us how to be children of God, established a sacramental way of remaining with us, and died so that we can at last live with Him forever. The Sign of the Cross is sometimes unconvincing.

God gives us many opportunities to reconsider our position, put our faith in Him, and give ourselves more generously to Him. While there is life, there is another chance, and another!

Today, let us consider the deep sigh from the heart of Jesus, and respond to him with a great act of faith and love: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mk 9:24).