The daily Word of God

February 12, 2024

Weekday in Ordinary Time

Mark 8:11–13 "Why does this generation seek a sign?"

 

First Reading: James  1:1-11

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, 
          to the twelve tribes in the dispersion, greetings. 
  
Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, 
          when you encounter various trials, 
          for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 
And let perseverance be perfect, 
          so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 
But if any of you lacks wisdom, 
          he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, 
          and he will be given it. 
But he should ask in faith, not doubting, 
          for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea 
          that is driven and tossed about by the wind. 
For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, 
          since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways. 
  
The brother in lowly circumstances   
          should take pride in high standing, 
          and the rich one in his lowliness,   
          for he will pass away "like the flower of the field." 
For the sun comes up with its scorching heat and dries up the grass, 
          its flower droops, and the beauty of its appearance vanishes. 
So will the rich person fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

 

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm   119:67, 68, 71, 72, 75, 76

R./ Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

Before I was afflicted I went astray, 
          but now I hold to your promise.  
R./ Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

You are good and bountiful; 
          teach me your statutes.  
R./ Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

It is good for me that I have been afflicted, 
          that I may learn your statutes.  
R./ Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

The law of your mouth is to me more precious 
          than thousands of gold and silver pieces.  
R./ Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

I know, O Lord, that your ordinances are just, 
          and in your faithfulness you have afflicted me.  
R./ Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

Let your kindness comfort me 
          according to your promise to your servants.  
R./ Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

 

Gospel Reading: Mark  8:11–13

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus, 
          seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him. 
He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, 
          "Why does this generation seek a sign? 
Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation." 
Then he left them, got into the boat again, 
          and went off to the other shore.

The Sigh of Jesus

There is something deeply human and saddening about Jesus giving a deep sigh. When we realize that nothing we say or do makes sense to those around us, we sigh. When unspeakable sorrow wells up within us, we sigh. God sighs when he sees in us shallowness of faith and rebellious resistance to truth, a resistance that prevents the Spirit from entering our hearts. The Pharisees’ demand for a sign was a true sign of their lack of faith in him—for they had already concluded that Jesus was colluding with Beelzebul (Mk 3:22). Jesus leaves without obliging them, for he knew that their minds were totally closed and no sign was going to convince them otherwise. True faith does not need signs; it simply believes, trusts, and loves—the kind James asks us to embrace, in his letter today.

Paulson Velyannoor, CMF