Sign of the Cross

Today’s Gospel Text:  After the two days he departed to Galilee. 44 For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast, for they too had gone to the feast.

46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Caper'na-um there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 Jesus therefore said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." 49 The official said to him, "Sir, come down before my child dies." 50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was living. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to mend, and they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live"; and he himself believed, and all his household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee. John 4:43-54

Reflection: Jesus therefore said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." (vs. 48)

How fortunate were these people who saw the signs and wonder which Jesus performed; for their eyes beheld the great works of God in their midst and they were many who believed and were blessed.

What shall we say about our generation, there are quite a few who are simple and eagerly believe when they see the signs and wonders taking place in their midst

But there are many in our generation who care less for these signs and wonders.

Signs and wonders are first of all the great merciful actions of God. God need not perform signs and wonders but he does that in order that we may believe in him and his love.

Hence the actions of Jesus whether to raise the dead and heal the sick and set people free from the yoke of slavery to sin and demons are actions that reveal the mighty love of God to humanity; so that free from the yoke of sicknesses, fear and guilt they may serve God in the freedom of their heart.

If God performs a sign for us, we now know that he does so in order that we may believe and trust in him, as one who is true, real, all powerful and almighty and that he is the only one who can save us.

Hence the greatest sign of all times, which required of him to prove himself to us and his love for us is the  sign of the death on the cross.

    

"This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah.  For as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nin'eveh, so will the Son of man be to this generation. Luke 11:29-30

  

For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. 1 Cor 1:22-25

Prayer: Lord, may the sign of your cross transform me each day more and more into your image and likeness.

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