AND DO NOT ASK FOR A SIGN

Last home vacation, it was the planting season for most farmers in our barrio. My father, an aging farmer himself, employed several workers to prepare our rice paddies, seedlings etc. in time for the rainy season. He could not work anymore in the farm as he used to. In one of my small conversations with him, I asked him how much a farm-worker earns in a day. I was surprised that what they earn is as good as a cup of an overpriced coffee I used to drink here. What they earn for a day, I only spend in less than hour in an overrated coffee shop. I realized then the value of my money, my allowance (P600) from the community; how valuable it is. Most of all, I thought how much should I be grateful for this blessing from the Lord.

I used to ask from the Lord many things; money, good-looks, perfect family, the best relationship in town, etc. thinking that attaining such would indicate that His favor is upon me. But I realized how much He has been good to me all this time. I eat more than three times a day. I sleep on a comfortable bed. I have a loving father and mother, struggling to be a better parents. My community, though not so perfect, at times reminds me of the Lord’s commandment “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44).” That too is a blessing!!! I have receive a lot of blessings from the Lord. These are enough reasons for me to believe that He loves me. He cares for me. I need no sign. These are enough. Thank you Lord.  

Since the beginning of human memory, man has been seeking for signs, either natural or conventional signs. He seeks for signs to avoid danger, to charter his journey, to help him in making a decision etc. and in some cases, to find the authenticity of a thing. Some of us perhaps asked for signs from the Lord as they discerned for their entry to the Order; shower of rose petals, green roses, chocolate brown dove and other extraordinary things that could not usually be seen (that would assure the one seeking for a sign that it came from the Lord and not just a coincidence).    

In the book of Micah, we hear the Lord saying “My people, what have I done to you, how have I been a burden to you? Answer me. I brought you out of the land of Egypt, I rescued you from the house of slavery; I sent Moses to lead you, with Aaron and Miriam.” Despite the Lord’s goodness, expressed to His people, the Lord and His commandments were ignored. After hearing such goodness and kindness from the Lord, the people were asked act justly, to love tenderly and to walk humbly with your God, but to no avail.

In the gospel according to Matthew, some teachers of the Law and some Pharisees asked for a sign from Jesus. But no sign will be given to them for the Lord had done great things before them but failed to comprehend such, or should we say intentionally refused to see them as wonders coming from the Lord. They were asking for a sign not to affirm that Jesus is Lord; not to authenticate Him as one from heaven. They seek for a sign to ensnare the Lord and give them a reason to condemn Him before the people. Nevertheless, the good Lord promised to them one great sign. That is the sign of Jonah; the resurrection of the Son of Man.

We are all guilty of the same offence committed against the Lord by His people, some teachers of the Law and some Pharisees. As the Lord manifest Himself to us, we asked for manifestations from Him, in accord to our caprices. We desire the Lord to act in our own terms, instead of us discerning His will for us. We ignore the Lord in front of us, around us. We sometimes pray that He be there where He already was. We disregard the Lord, though He is greater than Jonah and Solomon.     

Friends, the Lord has been good to us, all the years of our lives. Let us realize such enormous gift given to us. Look around you. Look at your room. Look at your cabinet. Look at yourself. More than the material affluence we enjoy here, our very lives, our vocations are enough signs from the Lord; sign of His goodness and love for us. Let us give thanks to the Lord. And do not ask for a sign.