Faith in Christ precedes Signs or Miracles

Readings: 1^st: Gal 4:22-24.26-27.31–5:1; Ps: 113; Gos: Lk 11:29-32

This brief reflection was written by Fr. Njoku Canice Chukwuemeka, C.S.Sp. He is a Catholic Priest and a member of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans). He is a missionary in Puerto Rico, the island of enchantment. He is the Chancellor of the Dioceses of Fajardo-Humacao, Puerto Rico; the Parish Priest of Parroquia la Resurrección del Senor, Canovanas and the Major Superior of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans), Circumscription of Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic. For more details and comments contact him at:  canice_c_njoku@yahoo.com, canicechukwuemeka@gmail.com.

Today, the Monday of the twenty-eight week of ordinary time, Christ condemns the unbelief of his people.

Despite all Christ preached and realized among his people, they refused to believe in him as the messiah. Knowing their heart, he reprimanded them thus: “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given to it.”

By comparing them with the people of Nineveh, Christ was reminding them that they will be judged because they remained unrepented. The repentance and final belief of the people of Nineveh are significant here.

Instead of seeking signs, the people of Nineveh were wise enough to recognize the prophet Jonah’s authority and repented of the sin.

Indeed, because Christ is greater than Jonah, his generation should have known and done better than Nineveh’s people. Instead, they remained stubborn. So, their punishment would be great.  

Again, Christ referenced the Queen of the South (or Sheba), who heard of Solomon’s wisdom, believed all she heard, and came to pay homage to the king with gifts.

Both of these personalities that Christ cited as examples were foreigners. He used them to demonstrate that foreigners were wiser in seeing the truth than the Israelites, God’s chosen people who continued their rebellion.

Today, many Christians run after signs, instead of believing in Christ first. This is ignorance of the way God operates. Christ’s person is the most powerful ‘sign’ that God gave to humanity. He is the fullness of the revelation of the Father.

Therefore, it is a lack of wisdom not to know that faith in Christ precedes signs or miracles. Hence, Christ proclaimed, “these signs shall follow believers…” (Mk 16:17-18).

In other words, believing in Christ is the first and most crucial step in our Christian journey. Afterward, if, and when it pleases God, he can seal our faith with miracles.

So, let us pray that believing in Christ, we may find all that we need to be fully human and fulfill our destiny with God according to his will.

Peace be with you all.

Maranatha!