“Why does this generation ask for a sign?
Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation.”
–Mark 8:12
Immediately prior to the words from Jesus we just read, he had fed 4000 people with seven loaves of bread and a few fish. Only Mark and Matthew speak of this miracle in addition to the more familiar feeding of 5000 when a young boy provides the food used to nourish a large crowd. Yet even with that recent display of power and all kinds of other dramatic acts, the Pharisees appear one day with a demand of Jesus. The gospel writer tells us that those pious believers “began to argue with [Jesus] asking him for a sign from heaven to test him.” They wanted proof he was the Messiah. In response Jesus “sighed deeply in his spirit and said ‘Why does this generation ask for a sign?’” He goes on to declare no sign will be given.
In some ways, his response is curious for there had been many moments in the gospel to that point when Jesus had performed great signs. In the chapters preceding that moment, he had healed a leper, a paralytic, someone with a hearing loss and a woman who had suffered for twelve years. In other accounts, he had walked on water, calmed a storm at sea, and raised a child from the dead. His ministry was full of dramatic signs yet on this day he refuses. Maybe he knew the Pharisees would never be satisfied. We don’t know, but on that first century day, Jesus revealed that signs from God are not given on demand. Even so, our life journeys reveal time after time that God continues to act.
Several years ago, Lori, her oldest brother and his wife and I traveled to Nova Scotia. As part of that trip we stayed for three nights in a wonderful bed and breakfast in Halifax. Owned and hosted by David and Liz, it was a relaxing and central location for our day trips. The best part, though, was the conversations with them. They are both natives of Ireland, having grown up in the same small town, but have lived in Canada for more than thirty years. The bond with their homeland is strong as they made regular trips back to their hometown. It was the kind of community where everyone knows everyone and David laughed in recalling one trip when he was in a grocery store and spotted a man he had not seen in decades. As the two crossed paths, the man said “Good to see you, David” and moved on!
One morning after breakfast, Liz and the four of us got to talking about moments when unusual things happen. Perhaps it was because she had just learned that I was a minister, but she went on to share in her Catholic childhood home there was a small painting of Saint Therese, a nun who lived in a 19th century French convent. Therese is often called “The Little Flower.”
“I always loved that painting,” Liz told us. “When my mother died and I was back for the funeral, I went to our home looking for it. The print had been in the attic for years, but when I walked in the house, it was on the floor leaning against the wall. David and I happily brought it back here with us. A year or so later, we were eager to adopt a baby girl whose mother was too young to care for her. The child’s grandmother was given the responsibility to choose which couple would get the baby. After looking through the applications and photos she chose David and me. When we went to get the baby, I asked the grandmother why she had picked us and she replied, ‘When I saw your photo and noticed on the wall behind you the painting of St. Therese, I knew you would be wonderful parents.’” Liz was quiet for a second and then said to us “You’ll never convince me that just happened by accident.”
Friends, the work of God continues all around us, sometimes through signs that people have requested, but far more often in moments we did not expect or seek. And so, once again, I encourage you to pay attention as you just never know when and how God will choose to act next.
Persistent One, I give thanks for your constant work in the world and my life. Help me to recognize and celebrate the latest sign of your love and power. Amen.
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