A Sign and the Refusal to See

Jonah, early Christian painting, catacombs

Scripture

Semicontinuous - Psalm 105:1-6, 16-22, 45b; Genesis 37:5-11; Matthew 16:1-4

Complementary - Psalm 85:8-13; Psalm 85:8-13; 1 Kings 18:41-46; Matthew 16:1-4

(What are semicontinuous and complementary readings?)

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Prayer

Redeeming Sustainer, visit your people and pour out your strength and courage upon us, that we may hurry to make you welcome not only in our concern for others, but by serving them generously and faithfully in your name. Amen. (Revised Common Lectionary)

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Reflection

Matthew 16:1-4

You seek a further sign.

As though
The blind now seeing,
the hungry now filled,
the broken now laughing,
were insufficient.

You are reading the sky,
as if you were all longstanding harborsmen,
forecasting the weather 24 hours in advance.

However the kingdom
now stands in front of you.
Sore feet for wearing dusty sandals,
and you will not be able to recognize grace.

You are measuring the horizon,
but you miss eternity.

You demand
another wonder,
another proof,
something impossible.
To explain away.

But no sign
can convince
the heart determined.
to want no new knowledge.

The prophet Jonah
still whispers
from the deep.

Three days
...in the dark.

Three days
Before the life ascends
from where death happened

And there is a sign.

A tomb
can‘t maintain
its prisoner.

PRAYER: Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in your steadfast faith and love, that through your grace we may proclaim your truth with boldness, and minister your justice with compassion; for the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer)

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