Demand for a Sign

FEBRUARY 14, 2022, MONDAY
Memorial of Saints Cyril, Monk, and Methodius, Bishop (White)
Feast of Saint Valentine, Martyr (Red)
CYCLE C - YEAR II
Lectionary: 335

Reading I
Jas 1:1-11

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings.

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.
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.

The brother in lowly circumstances  
should take pride in high standing,
and the rich one in his lowliness,  
for he will pass away “like the flower of the field.”
For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass,
its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes.
So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

Responsorial Psalm
119:67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76

R.        (77a)  Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

Before I was afflicted I went astray,
            but now I hold to your promise. 

R.        Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

You are good and bountiful;
            teach me your statutes. 

R.        Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

It is good for me that I have been afflicted,
            that I may learn your statutes. 

R.        Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

The law of your mouth is to me more precious
            than thousands of gold and silver pieces. 

R.        Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

I know, O LORD, that your ordinances are just,
            and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me. 

R.        Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

Let your kindness comfort me
            according to your promise to your servants. 

R.        Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

Alleluia
Jn 14:6

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the way and the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father except through me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Mk 8:11-13

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus,
seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.
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.”
Then he left them, got into the boat again,
and went off to the other shore.

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Jesus asks for faith in him and in his words, not in signs and miracles. The sign given in prayer is simply that we pray; not much may happen, but it is our time, our love given to God. Our works for God are in action time. Prayer is time for the heart. God is always at work growing our heart so that it is more like the heart of his Son.

PRAYER:

Lord, what about me? Am I always looking for something more from you? You reveal yourself as being totally on my side, through your Passion and Resurrection. Let me accept these great signs. Let me trust that you are on my side even when smaller things do not go well.

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