A Lenten Word - Seeking a Sign

Homily for Wednesday of the First Week in Lent

Try as I might while preparing today’s reflection, I could not reduce the mindfulness cue or word to a single word. Consequently, my mindfulness phrase today is “Seeking a Sign.”

There are several different reasons for seeking a sign from God.

1. Some people seek after signs and wonders because they want confirmation of the truth of God. There is nothing inherently wrong with this desire. In fact, God willingly gave signs to Moses, Joshua, Jonah and a host of other people of the Hebrew Scriptures.
2. Some people seek after signs and wonders because they do not believe the signs and wonders which have already been performed. The people surrounding Jesus in today’s Gospel text are examples of this kind of unbelief.
3. Some people seek after signs and wonders because they seek an occasion to excuse their unbelief. They usually ask for a sign from heaven similar to the signs that the prophet Elijah exhibited before the priests of Baal.
4. Some people seek after signs and wonders because they are curious thrill-seekers. King Herod would be an example of this kind of behavior. He had heard about Jesus and wanted him to do something miraculous before him.
5. Some people seek after signs and wonders because they hope to get something for themselves. We see an example of this after Jesus fed the multitude. Even though they had seen this miracle and actually been fed themselves, they asked for another sign.

Better than seeking after a sign is taking God at His Word. Simple faith is more pleasing to the Lord than a reliance on a dazzling sensory experience. So, today let us simply believe in God’s goodness and kindness and mercy.