looking for a sign?
"[The Pharisees] were looking for some heavenly sign from Him as a test. With a sigh from the depths of His spirit He said, 'Why does this age seek a sign? I assure you, no such sign will be given it!' " —Mark 8:11-12
Do you need a sign from God to believe in His power and love? Well, then, despite not giving the Pharisees of His time a sign, the Lord is about to give the world an incredible sign, one that's not easily missed. In two days, hundreds of millions of Catholics worldwide will be walking around with an ashen sign of the cross drawn on their foreheads. No one will be able to avoid this sign. The only question is: Will people of "this age" who are seeking a sign (Mk 8:12) be so "blinded by the god of" this age (2 Cor 4:4), the secular culture which denies the power of God, that they miss the sign paraded in front of them all day?
In "this age," many people have signs on their bodies. People are walking advertisements as they take pride in wearing clothes and shoes with the brand name displayed for all to see. Others wear their signs and messages in the form of "body art" in which tattoos cover nearly every exposed inch of skin for people to read. Still others use their bodies to glorify God (1 Cor 6:20) as signs for righteousness and evangelization by wearing crosses or medals, dressing modestly, and wearing a cheerful face as a "sign" of a heart that loves God (Sir 13:25).
The oldies song says, "Sign, sign, everywhere a sign." As Lent begins, Jesus sends to the world walking signs bearing His message of crucified love on their foreheads. Each day, may we disciples of Christ be signposts who lead the world to Jesus.
Prayer: Jesus, use me as Your sign so that those who don't know You might be able to "read the signs of the times" (Mt 16:3).
Promise: "Let Your kindness comfort me according to Your promise to Your servants." —Ps 119:76
Praise: Robert now covers the tattoos he once blasphemously displayed, and wears a crucifix instead.
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, August 26, 2009
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