Posted by The WORD in other words (2009) by Fr. Ernesto Salvar, SVD – University of San Carlos, Cebu City
Wednesday 1st Week of Lent
In today’s Gospel, the people questioned Jesus and insisted that he would do something sensational to prove that he really was the anointed of God. To this, Jesus answered: “This generation is evil…no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.” (Luke 11,29) They could not see that the greatest sign God has given them is just right before their eyes: Jesus himself. In fact, they were so privileged because God has given them a sign far greater than the sign He gave to the Ninevites in the person of Jonah.
Human as we are, we need signs and symbols, to comprehend things. Today we ask! What are the signs of God’s presence among us?
For the man of faith, all creations point to the existence and continued presence of God on earth. For the Christians, the common sign of God’s love is the cross. God’s love is materialized when He gave us His beloved Son. And in the cross, we see Jesus’ great love as that of his Father, when he offered his life for us all. Every time we make the sign of the cross, we are reminded of the ever-enduring presence of the Holy Trinity – the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in our lives.
We also have the sacraments especially the Holy Eucharist, through which the living Christ effects on us His saving grace. In the sacramental signs of bread and wine, we see Jesus. He who in a bloody way offered his life on the cross, now gives himself in the Eucharist.
For the many occasions that we, like the people of Nineveh, doubted Christ’s presence in our lives and mistrusted his words, let us repent and ask for God’s forgiveness.
