Posted by The WORD in other words (2009) by Fr. Flavie Villanueva, SVD – East Timor
Tuesday 3rd Week of Easter
In an international school, some grade one pupils were trying to outweigh one another as to whose “favorite sign” seems to be the best.
An American kid answered with pride, “my favorite sign is the dollar. It’s the best sign there is because it is recognized as an international currency worldwide.”
Then a Chinese kid rebutted, “My favorite sign is the Chinese flag. It’s the best because you could now almost find it anywhere in the market. It has a trademark saying, ‘Made in China.’
Then a Filipino boy was asked by his two international friends, “How about you, what is your favorite sign?” After a short sigh, the boy said, “My favourite sign is the Cross. It signifies both our difficult lives and the hope it brings with it. Also, it is the only sign that is made in heaven.”
In today’s Gospel, the Pharisees and Scribes demand a sign from Jesus in order to believe and enliven their faith. They were not yet pleased with the wonders that they saw Jesus perform in their midst and in their lives.
Do we find ourselves acting the same way? In this occasion, we are invited to understand first and foremost that God is not a magician nor a miracle-maker called to perform in order to satisfy our whims or even our faith.
Secondly, our faith in Him ought to be our response to the already existing life-giving signs we have long received, even if we do not ask for it and even if we do not deserve such gifts.
These are the gift of life we now have (which we ought to enjoy even amidst the numerous problems plaguing our society), the gift faith, the gift of being able to receive His Son Jesus through our sinful hands, the gift of relationships, the gift of work, or simply the gift of being able to read this bible diary. All these are wonderful signs that our God is constantly taking care of us and our needs and has committed to do so forever.
Aren’t these gifts and life-giving signs we freely receive enliven our faith and encourage us to make this world a better place?
If you now feel weary and troubled, take this experience as a sign and invitation to become more intimately closer to Him. In doing so, may you receive the gift of His life-giving presence for you to become God’s sign of His love, hope, and healing amidst our wounded world. Smile and be God’s beautiful sign today!
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