Reflections Today
The request of the Pharisees for Jesus to provide a sign for them is not simply a fact-finding encounter, but an argument that might lead Jesus into a trap. They ask for a sign from heaven to test him. Jesus had spoken with authority of their traditions as annulment of God’s command, like their interpretation of the qorban (Mk 7:8-13). That Jesus’ claim to authority would outstrip their own traditions makes them ask a validating sign from him: a miracle or wondrous act. Since a miracle is a work of God, they are in fact asking God to step in to validate Jesus’ claim. Jesus sees this as a threat and says that no validating sign will be given them. If they are open to Jesus, they would remember that Jesus had miraculously fed a multitude (Mk 6:34-44), healed people of various diseases, and drove out unclean spirits. Are not these signs? But the only recognition the Pharisees give to Jesus is to suggest that his authority came from Satan (Mk 3:22-26). And so Jesus absolutely refuses their demand for a sign.
FIRST READING • 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.” 11For 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.
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.
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