A Sign

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. 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." Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went off to the other shore.
Mark 8:11-13

Reflection:
He sighed from the depths of his spirit and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign?" Was Jesus disappointed in the Pharisees? Most likely!

How many times have we sighed deeply when our patience was coming to an end or when someone just does not grasp the question. But then again if we are clear in our questions, it wouldn't be hard to grasp now would it. How often we are called into question to show proof of what we did? When the proof is right there before their eyes.

Jesus had a lot to answer for with the Pharisees. Nothing Jesus did pleased them or made them believers. Jesus must have felt like he was butting heads with the most stubborn lot of people. How about us? Do we crave a sign like the Pharisees? And do we treat Jesus the same way as them. Causing Jesus to sigh from the depths of his spirit because we are just as stubborn.

I was thinking how we try our parents many times and how they too would sigh when we have gone on with our begging and whining to get something. Did it achieve anything, not really. All it did was cause the parents to sigh even more. Especially if it was something that we did not need. How a parent is smart to guard what is given, it teaches to value that not all is given when we expect it.

Wednesday of the Third Week of Advent

Advent Prayer

Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to heart the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.


Therefore the Lord himself will give you this sign:the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel.
Isaiah 7:7

Reflection:
What a prophecy at the time of Isaiah of the Blessed Virgin Mary's calling from God. In today's reading we reflect upon her "YES" to the angel Gabriel's request to bear God's son. It was foretold long ago, yet it seems as if it were yesterday.

We take this time of year to reflect upon God's will in the life of a special woman whom he chose to bear his son. A son who is named Emmanuel which the name implies "God with us." Mary found favor with God because she loved him and kept him always within her sight.

Our Blessed Mother has also become a mother to us throughout the years, for her love and goodness. We all cherish her in our hearts, for her love for God and her love for her Son. What mother would not go to the ends of the earth to bring peace for the sake of her Son. And Mary does exactly that.

She had the courage to say yes to an Angel, to be overshadowed by the Holy Spirit. Could we do that if it was asked of us? If we were asked to do God's will by his messenger what would our answer be?