Monday, February 12, 2024
Jas 1:1-11; Mk 8:11-13
Today’s Gospel shows Jesus’ clarity about his identity, and he reveals it by refusing to accept the demand of the Pharisees for a sign from heaven.
This passage reminds me of a beautiful anecdote.
Once, a speed race was arranged between dogs and a cheetah to determine the fastest-running animal. When the race started and the dogs started running, the cheetah did not move a finger and sat in the starting box itself. People asked the race coordinator what happened. He responded, saying, ‘Sometimes trying to prove that you are the best is an insult!’
When the Pharisees approach Jesus, demanding a sign from heaven, Jesus analyses their intention.
If their request was toward a real search, Jesus would have awarded it just as he appeared to the ‘doubting’ Thomas when he wanted to see the Risen Lord.
Whereas, their request was born of disbelief (because they did not believe in the miracles that Jesus had been performing) and showed no guarantee that they would still believe in Jesus.
That is when Jesus turns their request down.
Jesus did not want to prove himself because there was no identity crisis in him.
His life never depended on the approval of others.
Jesus was/is for those who believe in Him.
Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar
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