February 15, 2021
Monday for di Sixth Week for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
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Di Pharisees come forward begin argue with Jesus. Dem dey ask am for sign from heaven to test am. He sigh from deep inside His spirit, come talk say, “Why this generation dey look for sign? Amen, I dey tell una, no sign go dey given to this generation.” Mark 8:11–12
Jesus don do plenty miracles. He heal sick people, make blind people see again, make deaf people hear, and feed thousands of people with only small number of fish and loaves of bread. But even after all that one, di Pharisees still come argue with Jesus and demand sign from Heaven.
Di way Jesus answer really different. “He sigh from deep inside His spirit…” This sigh show di holy sorrow wey He feel because di Pharisees get hard hearts. If dem get eyes of faith, dem no go need another miracle again. And if Jesus do “sign from heaven” for dem, even that one no go help dem. So Jesus do di only thing wey He fit do—He sigh.
Sometimes, this kind response na di only good response. All of us fit face situations for life where other people go confront us with harsh words and stubbornness. When this one happen, temptation go come make we argue with dem, condemn dem, try convince dem say na we dey right, and other things like that. But sometimes, one of di holiest ways we fit respond when another person get hard heart na to feel deep and holy sorrow. We too must “sigh” from deep inside our spirits.
When person get hard heart, talk and argument wey follow reason no go help much. Hardness of heart na wetin we traditionally dey call “sin against di Holy Spirit.” Na sin of person wey stubborn and refuse to change. For that kind case, di person hardly dey open to di truth, or e no dey open at all. When you experience this one for another person life, to keep quiet with sorrow for your heart na often di best response. Their hearts need to soften, and di deep sorrow wey you show with compassion fit be one of di few responses wey fit help bring change.
Today, reflect on anybody for your life wey you dey regularly argue with, especially about matters of faith. Examine di way you dey approach dem, and consider to change di way you dey relate with dem. Put their arguments wey no follow reason aside, and let dem see your heart, just as Jesus let His divine heart shine through one holy sigh. Pray for dem, get hope, and allow your sorrow help soften even di hearts wey stubborn pass.
My Jesus wey get compassion, Your heart full with di deepest compassion for di Pharisees. Na that compassion move You to show holy sorrow because of their stubbornness. Give me this same kind heart wey You get, dear Lord, and help me to sorrow no be only for other people sins, but also for my own sins, especially when my heart dey stubborn. Soften my heart, dear Lord, and help me too to be instrument of Your holy sorrow for those wey need this grace. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Di main picture above: Christ among di Pharisees, by Jacob Jordaens
