The Catholic Calendar for Wednesday, March 8, 2006
Wednesday of the First Week of Lent
St. John of God, religious

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jonah 3:1-10
Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19
Luke 11:29-32

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

It seems to me that Jesus refused to give a sign to the crowd in today’s gospel, because He knew that even if a sign were given, they still wouldn't believe. How true this was! Saying they would get no sign except that of Jonah, our Lord clearly referred to his death, burial and resurrection three days later -- much as Jonah spent three days in the belly of the fish. And when He gave this tremendous sign of resurrection, what happened? Some of the people still refused to believe! But, the church grew rapidly after Christ’s resurrection. Sadly, the religious leaders refused to believe the sign and stepped up their persecution of the new Christians.

I've often heard that the more things change, the more they stay the same. In our technologically advanced world we still want signs and when they are given we refuse to believe!

Perhaps, like the Jews of 2000 years ago, we're looking for the wrong type of sign? Jesus came to free us from the slavery of sin and death, and He still brings that miracle to us today. As we continue on our Lenten journey, let us pause and see the signs we are given and listen to the spirit that resides in our hearts. It is there that we shall find the true signs and the gifts He so freely gives.

- Don Claunch, SFO
(dlclaunch at bresnan dot net)

____________________

These meditations are also available by email subscription
©1986-2006 The Way, The Truth, The Life