WHAT'S YOUR SIGN? - One Bread, One Body, 3/3/2008

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Monday, March 3, 2008, St. Katharine Drexel

Isaiah 65:17-21, Psalm 30, John 4:43-54
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/nab/030308.shtml

WHAT'S YOUR SIGN?

"This was the second sign that Jesus performed." —John 4:54

In John's Gospel, seven signs (miracles) are recorded "to help you believe
that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, so that through this faith you
may have life in His name" (Jn 20:31). These signs, worked by Jesus, are:
* changing water into wine at a wedding (Jn 2:1-12),
* a remote healing of a royal official's son (Jn 4:46-54),
* curing a man who was ill for thirty-eight years (Jn 5:1ff),
* multiplying the loaves and fishes (Jn 6:1-14),
* walking on the water (Jn 6:19),
* giving sight to the man born blind (Jn 9:1ff), and
* raising Lazarus from the dead (Jn 11:1ff).

After Jesus' first sign, His disciples began to believe in Him (see Jn
2:11). Then, many began to believe in His name when they saw the signs He
was doing (see Jn 2:23). However, Jesus recognized an innate problem with
working signs: our sinful human nature. He observed: "Unless you people
see signs and wonders, you do not believe" (Jn 4:48). Many people either
looked for more and more signs (Jn 6:30) or misinterpreted the signs
because they were not seeking the truth (Jn 9:16). The end result was:
"Despite His many signs performed in their presence, they refused to
believe in Him" (Jn 12:37).

So Jesus gave a once-for-all final sign: the sign of the cross. Jesus, God
Himself, set aside His power (Jn 18:6, 11), stretched out His arms, was
nailed to a cross, suffered in agony, and died to atone for our sins. He
rose from the dead in power and majesty, and gave us the Holy Spirit (Jn
20:22). This sign had power. This sign broke through the hard hearts.
"Lift high the cross!"

Prayer: "My Lord and my God!" (Jn 20:28)

Promise: "The things of the past shall not be remembered or come to
mind." —Is 65:17

Praise: St. Katharine Drexel learned charity by being a caregiver to her
terminally ill stepmother.

(This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)

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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my
permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from
February 1, 2008 through March 31, 2008
†Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General Archdiocese of Cincinnati,
August 14, 2007

The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be
free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have
granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or
statements expressed.

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