May 12, Monday Weekday

Be kind to me, Lord, and I shall live.--Psalm 119:77

Mass readings: James 1:1-11 / Mark 8:11-13

An Invitation

Can you imagine seeing Jesus perform signs and miracles -- and then refusing to believe in Him? That's exactly what the Pharisees did. They had Jesus under surveillance because they wanted to ''put Him to death'' (Mk 3:6), so they must have seen Jesus do many miracles: multiplying seven loaves to feed 4,000, healing the deaf man, expelling a demon from the Canaanite woman's daughter.

And yet, after witnessing all these miracles, in today's Gospel the Pharisees brazenly ask Jesus to perform ''a sign from heaven.'' The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, ''The signs worked by Jesus attest that the Father has sent Him. They invite belief in Him'' (CCC, No. 548). The Pharisees rejected the invitation. Are we tempted to do the same?

Prayer: Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!