Let my Life be a sign for others

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 16th Week -Monday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 12:38-42*

*First Reading - Ex 14:5-18*

*Let my Life be a sign for others*

*1) Pharisees and Scribes were asking a Sign from Jesus*

The Gospel of the day begins with the note of asking a sign by Scribes and Pharisees from Jesus 

Signs are good, if they help us to live a better life, which may inspire the other to live a good life 

*2) It is easy to ask a sign From another*

Asking sign from another indicates that I want to see something good in you 

Asking a sign from another means expecting another person to good and righteous person 

Asking a sign from another means, I become a outsider in the scene and I become only a spectator for it 

So asking or demanding a sign from another is easy because it does not cost me anything, 

*3) To make my life a sign is very challenging*

All the great personalities are real signs for us.

For example - Fr Stan Swamy is a great sign of fight against injustice, fight for the rights of the poor people, 

He is a sign of strong conviction, sign of a great martyr, sign of great sacrifice, sign of another Christ

His life didn't become sign over night. But throughout his life he struggled, suffered, and finally he sacrificed his life for his poor and deprived people 

That's why he became a great sign. So to make a life a sign for the entire world is very difficult and challenging

*4) The Sign and scribes and  Pharisees*

First of all they failed to make their life as a great sign, which could inspire many more people 

Secondly, they completely failed to recognise the great signs in the life of Jesus 

It is not that there weren't any signs in the life of Jesus. In fact there were many signs and each miracle or healing was a great sign. But they failed to see. 

Thirdly by demanding a sign from Jesus, they betrayed their own ignorance. 

Fourthly, it also shows their arrogance, and selfish motives not to recognise Jesus as a great person 

*5) Jesus' Life is a great Sign*

Jesus' life is a great sign for all times, past, present and Future. 

Every deed Jesus did in His life is a great indicator of a sign 

Since signs are very visible in the life of Jesus, there is no question of asking for a sign

*6) What about my life? Is it a sign? Is it a counter sign?*

As we reflect about the concept of sign, let us reflect about our own life to check what type of sign my life is.

Is it a sign of generosity, humility, forgiveness, simplicity, service, love, sincerity, unity, sacrifice, etc 

Is it a sign of revenge, hatred, gossip, selfishness, pride, arrogance, etc 

What type of signs people read from my life? 

*Instead of demanding a good sign from another person, let us make our life as a great sign*

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*