Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time
But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it. But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways. James 1:5-8
He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation." Mark 8:12
Piety
Even today our society seeks a sign without faith. We are surrounded by misplaced piety. Players from opposing teams kneel and hold hands hoping that the field goal will split the uprights. Across the Astroturf, their opponent are also kneeling in prayer hoping that some mystical wind or unforced error will push the ball wide left or right.
However, let the game end and then watch as the players express the unity of their faith circle-up and kneel together in thanks and praise for the athletic talents and the healthy completion of the contest.
We face challenges large and small every day. St. James reminds us to accept these challenges with grace. “Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4
Study
“Ask and you shall receive.” This theme is echoed in the gospels of Matthew, Luke and John as well as in the letters. Yet in Mark’s narrative today, we seem to have something of a reversal. The Pharisees are seeking a sign but even though they ask for one from Jesus, such a miracle is not forthcoming.
Instead of scratching our heads over this contradiction, today’s first reading from James as well as earlier passages from Mark clear up the question. James reminds us that we must ask God “in faith, not doubting.” Ironically, James uses the metaphor of the waves in the sea tossed about by the wind. This recalls the scene played out in our Gospel (January 31) less than three weeks ago when the disciples were in the boat on a storm tossed sea and Jesus was sleeping through the hurricane.
A violent squall came up and waves were breaking over the boat, so that it was already filling up. Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They woke him and said to him, "Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?" He woke up, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased and there was great calm. Then he asked them, "Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?" Mark 4:37:40
Do you not yet have faith?
Jesus not only rebuked the wind but he also rebuked the disciples. In the end, he did save them from the storm at sea in order to plant the mustard seed of faith in them. However, today’s narrative with the Pharisees does not have the same ending. Jesus knows that his dialogues with these learned men have all been set up to trap him. So he not only sidesteps the question, he refuses to play along with the game as if Jesus was some magician. Faith is needed as the basis for any good work which Jesus can muster.
Action
As we prepare to go off to a deserted place to pray this Lenten season, how can these questions from Jesus help us make the best use of this time?
"Why does this generation seek a sign?"
"Do you not yet have faith?"
