13 February 2017 - out of hiding

[ Today's Readings ] 

 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."

Jesus is before them. His healings surround them. His righteousness is apparent. The Pharisees don't need proof. It is rather that they don't want it. If Jesus is who he says he is it changes everything. The Pharisees demand proof on their own terms. They want to run from the consequences of the truth.

It isn't so surprising that we sometimes hide behind a desire for signs. Sometimes we really just want to run away. We are guilty and we know it.

Then the LORD asked Cain, "Where is your brother Abel?"
He answered, "I do not know.
Am I my brother's keeper?"
Letting the LORD find us means owning up to the sin that is inside of. This is difficult. But the LORD is pursuing us in mercy. He is chasing after us to offer forgiveness.
"You sit speaking against your brother;
against your mother's son you spread rumors.
When you do these things, shall I be deaf to it?
Or do you think that I am like yourself?
I will correct you by drawing them up before your eyes."

Rather than demanding a sign we should accept that Jesus is LORD so that he is free to heal and forgive us. The people in the Gospels that are desperate for healings are not desperate for signs. Rather, than a desperate for the touch of Christ. They are open to receive forgiveness if that is what is needed. We should approach Jesus like them, with great confidence in his love for us.
We don't all kill our brother like Cain does. But we all have anger in our hearts at times. We all have things we want to hide from Jesus. Let's not hide behind desire for signs. We often think that if Jesus just went a little further to prove himself we would finally make the big change. But since we know who Jesus is already let us not harbor such illusions. Let us acknowledge that he is LORD. Let us invite him to be more fully the LORD of our hearts. Let us welcome the forgiveness and healing he always wants to pour out upon us. This healing frees our hearts to praise him.

Offer to God a sacrifice of praise.