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Monday of the Sixteenth Week in Ordinary Time
(Exodus 14:5-18; Matthew 12:38-42)
Perhaps all of us have sought signs of the Lord’s will. We have asked that God reveal to us how we
are faring or what we should do in a particular situation. The readings today show that requests for
signs are not fitting for faithful people.
In the first reading the children of Israel it between Pharaoh's
army and the sea. When Moses tells them that
the Lord will act on their behalf, he is reprimanded. God says to him, “’Why are you crying out to
me? Tell the people to go forward. And
you, lift up your staff…’” He means that
they should act and not wait for God to do something for them. When Pharisees in today’s gospel ask for a
sign from Jesus, he also rebukes the request.
He says that there will eventually be a sign, but it will not be given
to satisfy their doubt. The people must
believe in Jesus’ divine mission.
We cannot allow our faith to be dependent upon God fulfilling our wishes. He has already given us more than we can even desire with the Incarnation and Paschal Mystery of His Son. However, we should not be surprised to experience supernatural help as we act with prudence. Nor should we desist to ask God’s help in our endeavors.
