Gospel for February 17, 2014, Monday

Sometimes, asking for a sign is convenient. We do not want to go through the trouble of fasting, abstinence, spending ample time in praying, studying the bible and discerning. We want the easy way. We want it quick and fast. We want it to just come without much effort from us. God speaks to us in so many ways. I think most of these is riddles. He likes to speak to us in riddles. And sometimes it can be tiring if not discouraging, especially when these riddles are taking forever for us to solve. But if we actually pay more attention, a closer look to these things, we see God is speaking to us and telling us things more than what we only want to hear.

6th Week in Ordinary Time
Seven Founders of the Order of Servites
Psalter: Week 2

Ps 119:67,68, 71, 72, 75, 76
Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.

1st Reading: Jas 1:1-11

James, a servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, sends greetings to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations. 

Consider yourselves fortunate, my brothers and sisters, when you meet with every kind of trial, for you know, that the testing of your faith makes you steadfast. Let your steadfastness become perfect, with deeds, that you, yourselves, may be perfect and blameless, without any defect.

If any of you is lacking in wisdom, ask God, who gives to all easily and unconditionally. But ask with faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave driven and tossed on the sea by the wind. Such a person should not expect anything from the Lord, since the doubter has two minds and his conduct will always be insecure.

Let the believer who is poor, boast, in being uplifted, and let the rich one boast, in being humbled, because he will pass away like the flower of the field. The sun rises and its heat dries the grass; the flower withers and its beauty vanishes. So, too, will the rich person fade away, even in the midst of his pursuits.

Gospel: Mark 8:11-13
The Pharisees came and started to argue with Jesus. Hoping to embarrass him, they asked for some heavenly sign. Then his spirit was moved. He gave a deep sigh and said, “Why do the people of this present time ask for a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this people.” Then he left them, got into the boat again, and went to the other side of the lake.