Gospel for 18 March, 2007

The Pharisees came up and started a discussion with him; they demanded of him a sign from heaven, to put him to the test. And with a profound sigh he said, ‘Why does this generation demand a sign? In truth I tell you, no sign shall be given to this generation.' And, leaving them again, he re-embarked and went away to the other side. The disciples had forgotten to take any bread and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. Then he gave them this warning, ‘Keep your eyes open; look out for the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod.' And they said to one another, ‘It is because we have no bread.' And Jesus knew it, and he said to them, ‘Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not understand, still not realise? Are your minds closed? Have you eyes and do not see, ears and do not hear? Or do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?' They answered, ‘Twelve.' ‘And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets full of scraps did you collect?' And they answered, ‘Seven.' Then he said to them, ‘Do you still not realise?' (Mark 8:11-21 NJB)

They demanded a sign of Him, and with a "profound sigh" Jesus dismissed them. With good reason. Jesus fed the 5000 and afterwards there were twelve baskets of leftovers. He fed the 4000 and afterwards there were seven baskets of leftovers. But still they sought for a sign. In truth, no sign would have been sufficient. They weren't really looking for a sign, they were looking for a reason not to accept and believe in Jesus. His question, "Do you still not realisae?" was not limited to the Twelve. How often in our daily lives do we seek some reason not to follow or believe?