Mark 8:11-13

Monday of the Sixth Week in Ordinary Time

Genesis 4:1-15, 25

Psalm 50:1, 8, 16bc-17, 20-21

Mark 8:11-13

The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with Jesus,

seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.

He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said,

“Why does this generation seek a sign?

Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

Then he left them, got into the boat again,

and went off to the other shore.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, I never want to test you. I know that you permit me to be tested, and these trials and temptations are opportunities for me to purify my love for you. I choose you, the holiness of your Name, the coming of your Kingdom, and the accomplishment of your Will. 

Encountering the Word of God

1. Arguing with Jesus: Jesus’ mighty works in the Gospel of Mark are not only acts of mercy toward the sick, the suffering, and the possessed, and signs that the age of salvation has come, but are demonstrations of his divine power and invitations to believe that he is the Son of God. He has just demonstrated his divine power by multiplying bread for thousands of people and by walking on the water. Despite these mighty works, the Pharisees persist in their refusal to believe in Jesus. In today’s Gospel, they are said to begin to argue with Jesus. In truth, they have been in conflict with Jesus from the very beginning. The most recent conflict was an argument about the human traditions they added in a very burdensome way to the Law of Moses. While the Pharisees wanted to strengthen the barriers between Israel and the Gentiles, much of what Jesus has done in this section of Mark’s Gospel is to begin to break down the barriers that separated the people of Israel from the Gentiles. Jesus will soon establish the New Covenant at the Last Supper and on the Cross and this New Covenant will welcome people from all nations into the family of God. The Pharisees, however, are resisting this.

2. Seeking a Sign from Jesus: Instead of humbly seeking to learn from Jesus and follow him, the Pharisees seek only to test Jesus and demand a heavenly sign from him. Just as the devil tested and tempted Jesus in the desert (Mark 1:13), the Pharisees test and tempt Jesus. They act like Jesus hasn’t performed any heavenly signs and want him to perform yet another sign. But Jesus has been performing mighty works throughout his public ministry: healing the sick, the deaf, and blind, exorcising demons, restoring the dead to life, walking on water, and multiplying bread for the crowds. The fact that the Pharisees want yet another sign is evidence that no matter what Jesus does and how many signs he performs, many of the Pharisees will continue to refuse to believe in him and change their ways. From the beginning, John the Baptist and Jesus invited the people to a change in mindset, to metanoia. The way of the Pharisees, the way of puffed-up self-righteousness does not lead to eternal life. What the Gospel of Mark teaches especially is that the way of discipleship is the way of humble suffering that leads to heavenly glory.

3. The Sin of Cain and the Righteousness of Abel: The story of Cain and Abel in the First Reading invites us to contemplate our relationship with God. We see Cain and Abel offer sacrifices to the Lord. Genesis says that Cain brought an offering to the Lord. It doesn’t say that he brought the first-fruits or the best of his harvest. By contrast, we know that Abel brought “one of the best firstlings of his flock.” These two sacrifices manifest two different ways to relate to the Lord God. Cain keeps the best for himself and offers the Lord God the leftovers. Abel trusts in God, offers God the best, and is willing to sacrifice in the present, knowing that a better future awaits. When Cain sees that his sacrifice was not accepted with favor, God tells him to be on guard against sin. Cain could have mended his ways, imitated his brother, and offered the Lord God the best. Instead, Cain turned his wrath toward his brother and killed him. As the story of humanity continues in Genesis, the descendants of Cain will represent those who choose the way of sin, while the descendants of the third son of Adam and Eve, Seth, will represent those who choose the way of righteousness.

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you have demonstrated your perfect love. I do not need a sign from heaven from you to convince me that you are the Son of God. I believe in you, but help my unbelief.

Living the Word of God: Am I more like Cain or more like Abel? Do I offer the Lord the leftovers or the best? Am I more like the Pharisees who argue with Jesus or like the disciples who follow Jesus?