“Having the openness and the willingness to ‘seek, see and surrender to the Truth!'”

(Based on Jon 3:1-10 and Lk 11:29-32 – Wednesday of the 1st Week of Lent)

Lee Strobel, an atheist, had one mission: Disprove Christianity….
… once and for all.

His wife had become a Christian.

He was furious.
“This is absurd,” he thought. “I deal with facts, not fairy tales.”
So, he did what he did best – investigate.

As an award-winning journalist for The Chicago Tribune, he had exposed corrupt politicians, uncovered scandals, and shattered lies.

Now, he would do the same to Christianity.

He tracked down experts.
Historians.
Scientists.
Archaeologists.

“Give me the evidence” he demanded.

They did.

The Bible?
… historically reliable.

The resurrection?
… more documented than most ancient events.

Science?
… not against God; instead, pointing to Him.

Lee Strobel’s skepticism cracked.

The walls of doubt shook.

Finally, he sat at his desk, exhausted.

The facts were clear.
The truth undeniable.

He began to realise: “It would take more faith to stay an atheist than to believe in Jesus.”

He knew.
The investigator who set out to destroy faith…
… had found it instead.

Because the greatest signs aren’t always in the sky.
They stand before us.
Waiting to be seen.
Waiting to change everything.

(Source: Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ)

Are we still demanding signs…
… while ignoring the One already given?

Faith isn’t about demanding proof.

It’s about recognizing the truth that’s been there all along!

The Gospel of the day is a call to have an openness and a willingness
… to ‘seek, see and surrender to the Truth!’

A big crowd had gathered around Jesus and He began to speak and teach them.
“This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign…” (Lk 11:29)

This verse has its background in a previous verse – Lk 11:16 – where it says, “Others to test Him, asked Him for a sign from heaven”

The motive for asking the sign was to “test” Jesus.

There was clear hypocrisy in this demand.

Jesus had already performed a lot of miracles…..
“… the blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers cleansed, the deaf hear, and the dead raised up” (Mt 11:3-5)

Yet, a sign was demanded!

True, that God gave signs to people in the Old Testament.

For example… to Gideon… to Abraham… to Moses… to the people of Israel etc

But the difference was that…
… those signs were given in request for a confirmation.
… those signs were given to strengthen the faith and belief.

As it is commented, “Signs were granted to those who desired them for the confirmation of their faith, as to Abraham and Gideon…
… but were denied to those who demanded them for the excuse of their unbelief.”

Some in the crowds… some of the Pharisees and the Scribe, demanded a sign from Jesus…
… just to remain obstinate and adamant in their unbelief!

For the Jews, the time of the coming of Messiah was expected to be a time of great warfare upon the Gentiles and great material prosperity.

The pseudographical work – The Apocalypse of Baruch – mentioned that ‘the time of the Messiah would bring in an inexhaustible supply of manna to feed the Jews until the end of time.’

Another pseudographical work – The Psalms of Solomon – says ‘the Messiah will “purge Jerusalem of the heathen . . . break the pride of sinners like so many pots . . . and gather the holy nation and lead it with justice, in peace and equality”‘

Jesus was not showing such “external” signs of being a Messiah

Therefore, the demand for a ‘sign from heaven’’ was a result of the hostility for Jesus’ failure to meet their materialistic expectations.

But Jesus exhorts to look at the higher and heavenly signs and symbols that He was providing!

Jesus challenges to adopt an attitude…
… of seeking to go beyond in finding the beautiful and higher realities
… of nurturing oneself on symbols that are deeper and much more precious

Is my life reduced to looking only for lowly and materialistic gains and desires?
… or is my life raised up in longing for higher and spiritual treasures and gifts?

The world in which we live and work, is a mirror of our attitudes and expectations.

The greatest signs stand before us…
… waiting to be seen.
… waiting to change everything.

We are called to recognise the truth that’s been there all along

Let us have the openness and the willingness
… to ‘seek, see and surrender to the Truth!’

God Bless! Live Jesus!

— Fr Jijo Jose Manjackal MSFS
Rome, Italy
Email ID: reflectioncapsules@gmail.com

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Third Commandment

The Gospel reports many incidents when Jesus was accused of violating the sabbath law.
But Jesus never fails to respect the holiness of this day.
He gives this law its authentic and authoritative interpretation:

“The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. (CCC # 2173)