Several years ago, a hunter acquired an unusual hunting dog. It was the only dog of its kind that was capable of walking on water. To show off his prized possession, he invited a friend to go hunting with him. Eventually, they shot a few ducks, which fell into the river. He ordered his dog to fetch the birds. When the dog ran on water to fetch the birds, he expected a compliment about his amazing dog, but did not receive one.
Curious, he asked his friend if he had seen anything unusual about the dog. Yes, I did notice something unusual about your dog. Your dog can’t swim! The friend had missed the obvious. He had chosen to look at the hole in the middle rather than the doughnut.
In today’s gospel reading, Mark, who makes more references to Jesus’ emotions than the other evangelists, shows Jesus’s human side. He shows Jesus exasperated before the Pharisees who ask Him for a sign from heaven. Mark says that Jesus’ responded to the Pharisees’ request for a sign from heaven “with a sigh that came straight from the heart.” The sigh was followed by the question, “Why do these people demand signs?” We can almost sense the frustration and weariness of Jesus in those words.
The religious quest often involves searching for heavenly signs, looking for the extraordinary and unusual. However, Jesus of the gospels points us to the ordinary. A Sower sows his field, a woman searches for a lost coin, a Samaritan traveler helps a stranger on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, a man finds treasure in his field, a merchant finds the pearl he has been searching for, and so on. Those with eyes to see God’s glory are able to find the mystery of His kingdom in the ordinary.
Until now, Jesus had healed the sick and broken, welcomed sinners home, and fed multitudes in the wilderness. Signs from heaven were plentiful for those with eyes and ears. It was time to recognize God’s powerful work through Jesus and to believe He was God’s unique messenger. It was not time to ask Jesus to perform more signs. God had given enough through Jesus. Some people, like the Pharisees, did not appreciate what God was doing in their midst, so more signs from heaven were pointless. It would be like showing the blind more pictures.
Today’s gospel reading calls us to see and hear all that God is doing among us, instead of looking for more spectacular expressions of His presence and work. We have enough from the Lord in the present moment. God is always at work deep within each of us and among us in striking ways each day, so there is much to see and hear. It is not our role to demand signs from Him, but to recognize and receive those that are already here. The food at the table, our new life in the morning, health to walk, and many more! These are obvious signs of Jesus’ infinite love for us.
Trying to get more signs from God shows how feeble our faith is.
Observe the incredible ability of the hunter’s dog to run over water. Don’t be like his friend who complains the dog cannot swim.
Father Boby John, C.S.C., ordained a priest in the Congregation of Holy Cross in 2008, worked as a pastor and as an educator with tribal populations in Northeast India for thirteen years. Originally from Kerala, India, Father Boby grew up with three siblings. He is a dedicated and detailed educationist with experience in educational leadership. He is currently working as an executive assistant at the world headquarters of Holy Cross Family Ministries, North Easton, Massachusetts.
