For a more enriching experience,
go down on your knees to pray or take it one step further
and prostrate yourself (lay face down) on the floor while praying.
Father, the first thing that hit me from today's reading below was that once again the people were demanding a sign from Jesus to prove His claims. What they did not get was the proof was standing right in front of them. As we all know, it is relatively easy not to see what we don't want to see, which not lost on the Jews. In fact, it was characteristic of the Jews to demand a sign in order to support or authenticate a messengers claims. Believing that one of their own, a fellow Jew, could be the Messiah was just too much and once again they demanded a sign. The miracles Jesus had already performed should have been enough but they wanted more. Little did they know, His previous miracles were the set-up for His biggest miracle of all, which was rising on the third day.
The second thing that hit me in the reading was how easy it is to hold others accountable for their mistakes, bad decisions and transgressions than it is to look at my own. My ego gets in the way and I become more self-involved than self-resolved. It's not like I have made the best choices in Life or like I am the gold standard for Good behavior, yet I hold others accountable to a standard that I don't even attain myself. How many signs do I need before I finally believe? And why do I need another sign when one has already been given? When is enough, enough, before I will believe? If I continue to wait for yet another sign and then another sign, Life will continue and I will miss out.
Father, please forgive me and help me to correct these mistakes, bad decisions and transgressions thereby becoming a better example of what I preach. Interestingly enough, it's easier to admit my wrong doings to You than it is to stand in front of another human being and admit my wrong doings to them. Help me to become more of what I should be and less of what I should not be, and most of all, what You created me to be. Thank you for this awareness today and bringing home the fact that I do not really need a sign at all. Knowing You are always in my corner and I am always in the palm of Your Divine Hand is all that I really need.
Through Jesus Christ's Precious Blood, Most Sacred Name and Most Holy Face. ~Amen
A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke
Luke 11:29-32
29 While still more people gathered in the crowd, He said to them, "This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.
30 Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
31 At the judgment the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation and she will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and there is something greater than Solomon here.
32 At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because at the preaching of Jonah they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here."
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to You Lord Jesus Christ
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