VI Monday, Ordinary Time, Year II

Jas 1:1-11
Ps 119:67-76
Mk 8:11-13

I was on a cruise in the Bahamas right before this year began. And on such cruises we have excursions to go on shore and do some exploration. You can water ski, go shopping, parasail, snorkel, and things like that. Well, I went snorkeling and so I’m swimming about looking at the reefs and corals and stuff – just floating on the water. It was actually really neat to just float and let the waves take you wherever. It felt really free and so relaxing compared to being cooped up on the cruise ship rooms. Perhaps you have had that experience as well, just floating around and going wherever the currents take you. It’s just so freeing!

But I think it can be deceptive to let wherever the current takes you because you could swept out to sea and you will lack the strength to come back. In St. James’ epistle he writes about that: But he should ask in faith, not doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed about by the wind. The Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign from heaven. Ironically enough, just before this passage we read today, Jesus had fed 4000 people in another region – which is sandwiched on the other side of this passage explaining the feeding of the 4000. To give them the benefit of the doubt: Whether or not the Pharisees were witnesses to that miracle is difficult to say, but we can say because of this “Marcan Sandwich” that this passage is indeed important. But when they asked him for a sign what did Jesus do? He sighed from the depth of his spirit!! I can only imagine Jesus doing a “Divine Face Palm… ‘O God!’” (wait that’s me…) His frustration is palpable. These were men without faith – doubting and being swept around be the wind.

The benefit of being tested in various trials allows one to go along the way with God. If you are never tested, never compared, never met with any obstacles, then you are like one floating around the sea with no direction and no guidance. Yes, you are free… but where are you going? Those that float around must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a man of two minds, unstable in all his ways. Have a singleness of mind and heart, one that is ordered to God, discerning His will. Ask in faith and not in doubt like the Pharisees. As you encounter obstacles and trials, these are to help you in persevering and finding His will. Be alert and be attuned to His loving guidance at every moment of every day.