“Be alert to the signs. Always wait for my signal.” These were the words of our basketball coach in my early adulthood days. With these were unique signs for our set play that only the team members could understand. This was part of our innovative strategies to hide from our opponent the direction of our play.

God also uses signs to communicate with us. As human beings, we operate through the senses. Through the senses, God reveals to us His messages. The Church reminds us to look at the signs of the times―what is happening in the world and to people around us that give messages about life and faith. The flourishing immorality, for example, is a clear sign for us to change our ways. Unless we change, things will be more difficult for all of us. But, hopefully, we will not miss the perfect sign in Jesus Christ. His words and deeds are what will lead us to salvation.

Every day, the Lord shows us how much He loves us through varied signs. Clean air, the warmth of the sun, good food, physical health, love in the family, support of friends, the right mindset, opportunity to pray, and so on. The Gospel challenges us to value them all. Unlike the Pharisees, our goal is not to wait for miraculous events to make us believe in God’s presence in our lives. However, what is needed is faith. With faith, we do not need a sign before placing our trust in Jesus. With faith, we love and follow Jesus not because of anything spectacular but because of his great love for us that made him embrace death on the cross for our salvation. There are always and indeed many countless signs of God’s love in our life.

By: Sem. Glicerio T. Tano

Today’s Gospel

Mk 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.