YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE UNLESS YOU SEE SIGNS

PRAYER MOMENT  

Monday 31 March 2014

YOU WILL NOT BELIEVE UNLESS YOU SEE SIGNS

Pause. Be still in the presence of God.

Reading: “So you will not believe unless you see signs and portents!” “Sir”, answered the official, “Come down before my son dies.” (John 4:43-54, Is 65:17-21)

Reflection. Jesus seems reluctant to do miracles in John’s gospel. He had to be persuaded at Cana. He delayed over Lazarus and the curing of the man born blind was almost incidental to the main story, which was about what happened after the man was cured. Here he complains about their dependence on signs. It is as if he says, ‘Can you not see that my “dwelling among you” is the miracle? You do not need any others.’ In the reading from Isaiah we hear, “I am creating a new heaven and a new earth … Be glad and rejoice for ever and ever for what I am creating.” If faith depends on signs and miracles it is not faith. The faith Jesus looks for is a stretching out to this world as it is and a wholehearted effort to change it into his likeness.  

Prayer. Lord, help us to work with you to create a new world where each one will be respected and valued for who they are and each one will have the opportunity of a good life. Amen.

David Harold-Barry SJ