Youth for Christ Sto. Tomas Cluster

02132012

James 1:1-11/ Psalm 119

Gospel: Mark 8: 11-13

The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.” And he left them, and getting into the boat again he departed to the other side.

As an art student, I had grown deep familiarity with Semiotics or the study of signs, to evaluate what a certain painting or sculpture is trying to say. By closely looking at signs–motifs, elements, colors and objects within the painting or work–one is given a means to put science into his or her gut feel, on what a certain piece of art means. In today’s scripture,  Jesus denies his listeners of a sign to validate their disbelief. Perhaps it was Jesus’ way of saying: “I am already here. I am the word made flesh. What other signs are you looking for?”

In the ‘semiotics’ of faith, we need not go far in looking for signs to make us feel more confident in our daily life. We have Jesus and He is all we need. The point of faith is to believe in who Jesus is, more than what He can do. After all, the Master is more important than the masterpiece.

“Count it all joy, my brethren, when you meet various trials,  for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness… But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.”  - James 1:2-3, 6

Writer: LCM | Artist: Joyce Octavo

via CFCYOUTHFORCHRIST.NET