A SIGN TO THIS GENERATION

PRAYER MOMENT

Wednesday 12 March 2014.

A SIGN TO THIS GENERATION

Pause. Be quietly there as “the crowds got bigger and bigger”.

Reading: “Just as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.” (Luke 11:29-32)

Reflection. People as signs can be powerful. We can think of artists, sportspeople and politicians whose lives have inspired “generations.” Nkrumah had a huge impact in Africa in the late 1950s and Pele in Brazil. In our day the world, Catholic or not, is taking note of Pope Francis. Jonah clearly inspired the Ninevites and Jesus says his own presence is an even greater “sign” to the people of his time. At first only a small number took notice but after his resurrection people gathered in house churches around the Mediterranean and his influence grew right up to today. So now we are in Lent and asking what this “sign” means to us! Perhaps we can look around and see the people we mix with each day in a new light. After all they too are signs. And we can look too at the little people; the poor, the marginalised and the disabled. They are signs to this generation.      

Prayer. Lord, open my eyes to see the people I mix with each day as revelations of your presence in our world. Each one is important and “a surprise” to eyes that see. Amen.

David Harold-Barry SJ