“This is an evil generation. They ask for a sign, but no sign will be given to them except the sign of Jonah.” (Lk 3:29)

“This is an evil generation. They ask for a sign, but no sign will be given to them except the sign of Jonah.” (Lk 3:29) 

Today’s Passages: Lk 11:29-32; Jon 3:1-10

Meditation: Today’s meditation passages speak of the right attitude we all should cherish during this holy Lenten season. Jesus Christ is reproaching those people who do not pay due attention to their religious faith and life. Those who believe in God often find enough signs in and around them to believe and love God. However, those who do not have real faith in God seek for miracles and wonders because they do not want to believe in him. Asking for miracles itself is a sign of disbelief and at times contempt.

Therefore, in the second reading we find Jesus grieving to his heart says, “This is an evil generation. They ask for a sign, but no sign will be given to them except the sign of Jonah.” (Lk 3:29) The reason why he calls them evil generation is clear that they repeatedly ask for a sign. They are no more able to know who God is and what he has already done for them in the past years. If you are not able to experience and acknowledge the miracles he has already done in your lives, then it will be useless to search for new miracles in your lives.

It is said that without appreciation there can be no appropriation. In order to have this appreciation for God and spiritual realities, first we have to remember and acknowledge God’s showering of graces in our lives. Psalm 118 is a beautiful thanksgiving psalm that praises God from the bottom of Israelite’s heart. Whenever we are tempted for asking fresh signs from God reading this psalm will give us right guidance. Satan will never be interested in guiding you to all other trees and its fruits in the garden, but the forbidden tree and its fruit. This is an evil generation indeed! They ask for a sign.

The only sign waiting for them is the sign of Jonah; the sign of repentance. We have to acknowledge first our ungratefulness toward God and repent on our sins. When the people of Nineveh repented on their sins, God showered graces upon them abundantly: “When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened upon them.” (Jon 3:10) This Lenten season, then, should not be an occasion of asking for signs from God rather it is the time of our repentance, renewal, and return to the Lord.

                  

 Prayer: Lord God, we thank you and praise you for your daily eternal bread. How true it is that man often gets, gets, and forgets; and God gives, gives, and forgives. Lord Jesus Christ, give us a genuine and humble heart to acknowledge and appreciate your graces and forgiveness we received in our lives, and live an ever-grateful life. We ask for this grace through Christ our Lord. Amen!

Greetings: God is with you! Wish you a blessed and fruitful Lenten Wednesday!