Today's Gospel: Mark 8:11-13

The Pharisees argued with Jesus for a sign from him, to Jesus’ disappointment; sighing from the depths of his spirit he says, “Why does this generation seek a sign?” As a housewife and mother there were times when a child would come up to me and ask, "Mom, do you love me?" “Of course I do; why would you ask such a thing?” I would ask in complete dismay. Sometimes, I would look back and wonder, did I do enough for my children, my family? Do you ever wonder how more tangible could your love for your family be? This must be how Jesus felt being asked for proof of his love for them after all he had done for them.

A child will test his parents’ love and devotion to him by acting out, going to lengths to see just how far they can go to break his parents. Our youngest daughter turned 18 and decided that she was officially in control of her life as a grown up. She broke curfew, took drugs, got drunk and hung with a bad crowd, her father and I were at wits' end, but as I told her many times during those dark days, “There is nothing you can do to stop me from loving you.” The very next day, she would go and get with that crowd again and come home stoned/drunk/whatever. Those were dark days indeed, but as she tells me today, when you kept telling me you loved me, I was listening. She wanted to be in control, but she also needed us to be there for her, still loving her as always; she needed solid proof of our love.

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Ponder:

Do you need a sign from Jesus? Do you need tangible proof that you can touch, see, and smell? Has the opportunity come about to tell another how you believe in Jesus by his signs to you?

Pray:

Dear Lord, the love you showed us by being born in a manger a human being, then dying on the cross a humiliating death, all to prove your love for us is sign enough for me. Help my belief in you be the sign for another in my life to believe in you as well. I ask this in your name, Amen

 

Copyright 2017 Elizabeth Weidner

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About the Author

Ebeth Weidner

Ebeth Weidner

Ebeth Weidner, a Master Catechist and cradle Catholic who considers herself a Catholic information junkie, writes from her heart about the faith and hope she finds in the Catholic Church. She is the author of “A Catholic Mom Climbing the Pillars” blog. She is the wife of a research science Professor and mom to 3 great young adults people living on the coastal side of North Carolina.