First reading James 1:1-11
Your faith is put to the test so that your patience may make you complete
From James, servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Greetings to the twelve tribes of the Dispersion.
My brothers, you will always have your trials but, when they come, try to treat them as a happy privilege; you understand that your faith is only put to the test to make you patient, but patience too is to have its practical results so that you will become fully-developed, complete, with nothing missing.
If there is any one of you who needs wisdom, he must ask God, who gives to all freely and ungrudgingly; it will be given to him. But he must ask with faith, and no trace of doubt, because a person who has doubts is like the waves thrown up in the sea when the wind drives. That sort of person, in two minds, wavering between going different ways, must not expect that the Lord will give him anything.
It is right for the poor brother to be proud of his high rank, and the rich one to be thankful that he has been humbled, because riches last no longer than the flowers in the grass; the scorching sun comes up, and the grass withers, the flower falls; what looked so beautiful now disappears. It is the same with the rich man: his business goes on; he himself perishes.
Responsorial Psalm 118(119):67-68,71-72,75-76
Let your love come to me and I shall live.
Before I was afflicted I strayed
but now I keep your word.
You are good and your deeds are good;
teach me your statutes.
Let your love come to me and I shall live.
It was good for me to be afflicted,
to learn your statutes.
The law from your mouth means more to me
than silver and gold.
Let your love come to me and I shall live.
Lord, I know that your decrees are right,
that you afflicted me justly.
Let your love be ready to console me
by your promise to your servant.
Let your love come to me and I shall live.
Gospel Mark 8:11-13
No sign shall be given to this generation
The Pharisees came up and started a discussion with Jesus; they demanded of him a sign from heaven, to test him. And with a sigh that came straight from the heart he said, ‘Why does this generation demand a sign? I tell you solemnly, no sign shall be given to this generation.’ And leaving them again and re-embarking, he went away to the opposite shore.
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Loving the “Pharisees” in our lives
In today’s gospel passage, the Pharisees came to look for Jesus to discuss and argue with Him. “And with a profound sigh…” which expresses His deep exasperation at the stubbornness of the religious leaders. He then said, “Why does this generation demand a sign?…’ He knew that He could never do anything to convince them because they had rejected Him and His message. After saying this, He left them by going to the other side of the lake.
We have encountered many “Pharisees” or people who want to make life difficult with their arguments, needs, and their finding faults with what we do. Each time they approach us, our energy seems to drain away. Although our task is never to stop loving them, we also need to recognise that it is alright sometimes to disengage and walk away for a little while. Then, we go back to Jesus in prayer and allow ourselves to be renewed by Him so that we can have the inner strength to reach out to them again.
Question for reflection:
With the help of Jesus, how can I deal with difficult people in my life?
With the help of Jesus, how can I deal with difficult people in my life?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Sandra Seow FMVD.
