THE WORD BECOME FLESH

Monday of the sixth week in ordinary time, 2022

Jams 1:1-11

Ps 119

Mark 8:11-13

Sts Cyril & Methodius, Bishops

This generation and sign

Dear friends in Christ, today we celebrate the memorial of Sts Cyril and Methodius, they were brothers and were responsible for the translation of the liturgical texts into the Slavonic language.

On this same day, we celebrate Valentine’s Day. Though no longer on the general Roman liturgical Calendar, he is associated with courtly love as the patron of love, young people and happy marriages. St. Valentine of Rome is said to have been martyred in 269 AD having been arrested and jailed on the order of emperor Claudius, for aiding Christians who were under persecution and particularly helping young couples to have their wedding as against the orders of the emperor who banned marriage to be able to send the men to war, because marriage was discouraging them from joining the army. Let love be pure and genuine; love in a way that gives life and joy. As we celebrate this day, Paul reminds us of what love is— “Love is patient, love is kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its own way, it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor 13:4-7). Happy Valentine’s Day!

Today’s first reading (James 1:1-11) is from St James the brother of our Lord (Jesus’ cousin) addressed to those in Dispersion seeks to put new hearts in those who are suffering persecution on account of their faith in Christ, “Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” The author wants his listeners to seek more of the spiritual gifts and not be engrossed in the pursuit of earthly materials. Trials are a part of the Christian life from which we must learn and develop virtues. In trials we become matured, complete and fulfilled.

In the gospel of today (Mark 8:11-13) the Pharisees came to Jesus and were asking him for a sign. They wanted Jesus to become an entertainer, to make his ministry a sensational performance. This is not different from the tempter asking Jesus to turn stones into bread, or jump down from the Temple parapet. Jesus however did not yield to their demands. “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” There are however many places today that are basically, ‘signs and wonders’ centres. In the name of Jesus, people are promised even the impossible. Some people now just wait for their miracles to come, they live on miracles. While nothing is impossible for God, if he wanted to provide all our needs like manna from the sky, He will not ask us to work. Modern day preachers must tell their congregations the truth, that God does not do for us what he has put in our power to achieve. We must do what is humanly possible, to benefit from what is only divinely possible.

Let us pray: O God, teach us to know you more deeply and so follow you more sincerely. Amen. 

+Remain blessed