Daily Reflection – 2/12/2024
Sacred Scripture
The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with him, 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
Jesus had just completed performing miracles of an unprecedented nature. Yet the Pharisees demanded an even more powerful sign. Jesus knowing that the hearts of the Pharisees were already hardened simply sighs and walks away.
Sound familiar? It should because you and I have seen that many times in our lives. There are times when everything seems to go awry. Nothing seems to be going right. At times like these we might keep asking God to give us some sign that he is on our side and cares for us.
The reality is that on those occasions our faith has been tested. When we respond by walking away, we are forgetting that faith is a constant process of building. It doesn’t come in a flash. It isn’t contained in a prayer. It doesn’t occur in an event. It is countless days and countless times when we yield, perhaps even sigh, and accept the reality of the circumstance.
Most of us don’t have perfect faith. But there are some good examples. The most meaningful years of my almost five decades of ministry were the years I spent in Panama. There I saw, over and over again, examples of perfect faith. As I walked in the countryside seeing little material wealth, I also found people who were spiritually rich – far more than most.
I found people who understood that faith is patient, That faith is built upon trust. That faith is built on understanding that the Lord will answer us in His time and on His terms. So many never quarreled with that. They accepted because they had perfect faith.
Authentic faith is not based on miracles. Faith is authentic if it helps us through the trials of life. Faith enables us to steadfastly trust in God.
Faith is understanding and trusting that God is always at our side. The most powerful sign of Jesus’ ministry was Jesus himself. The Son of God walked our earth to save each of us from sin. The Son of God died so that we may have eternal life. There is no greater sign.
And now back to our faith. Even in the daily circumstances of our lives the Lord Jesus continues to speak to us and guide us. If we seek the Lord Jesus, we will surely find him. And we can be confident that he will give us whatever we need to carry out his will for our lives. We need to be quiet, to open ourselves to the Holy Spirit and then to bask in the love of Jesus that never leaves us and always comforts us,
Theresa of Avila’s prayer book contained a bookmark which read: “Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you; All things pass: God never changes. Patience achieves all it strives for. Whoever has God lacks nothing, God alone suffices.”
Perhaps each of us should carry those words in our hearts and always be reminded of His love for each of us.
Prayer of The Day
“Lord Jesus, may I always recognize your saving presence in my life and never forget your promises when I encounter trials and difficulties. Give me a faith that never wavers, a hope that never fades, and a love that never grows cold.”
Daily Note
In the daily circumstances of our lives the Lord Jesus continues to speak to us and guide us. If we seek the Lord Jesus, we will surely find him. And we can be confident that he will give us whatever we need to carry out his will for our lives. Most of all the Lord Jesus assures us of his daily presence with us and the promise that he will never leave us.
Yeah Theresa of Avila😀. I love the Panama references.