1st Reading: Jas 1:1-11
Gospel: Mk 8:11-13

The Pharisess came and started to argue with Jesus. Hoping to embarrass him, they asked for some heavenly sign. Then his spirit was moved. He gave a deep sigh and said, "Why do the people of this present time ask for a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this people." Then he left them, got into the boat again and went to the other side of the lake.

Commentary

TODAY'S reading is just a warm-up for tomorrow's: when Jesus rails against "the yeast of the Pharisees," it will be useful to have a recent reminder of what they are like.

"Hoping to embarrass him they asked for some heavenly sign." His miracles (which always appealed to faith) were not enough; they wanted a spectacle. A spectacle would amuse (or fail to amuse) the idle, not touch their hearts-because their hearts were untouchable. They wanted to make a trial of him, without being on trial themselves. They would taunt him from the sideline while remaining safely out of reach themselves. That's not fair play in any field.

There are people whose whole life-game is that. Don't you just love them!

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