A sower went out to sow....

“This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign…” (Luke 11: 29).

It seems that Jesus’ sad remark about his contemporaries can apply as well to us today. Indeed, we live in a time when we believe only when we have concrete proof of evidence.

A missionary and author Joseph Donders reflects on such a pitiable situation of Jesus and on ours as well. “Not only prophets (like Jesus), but even concerned scientists in our day often have the same difficulties as him. Economists tell us that the world will run out of resources if we continue to exploit the earth as we are currently doing. Biologists speak about the disastrous effects of our waste of energy, of the destruction of the rain forests, of the pollution of the atmosphere. Physicians warn us that we are eating too much fatty stuff, that many drink too much, that we should drive our cars less and use our feet and bodies more. Sociologists warn that families are falling apart, that children are not well educated, and that there are too many homeless people in our streets.” (With Hearts on Fire, Paulines).

The sad thing is that too few listen. Those do not listen often say that they want clearer signs, more proof, stronger evidence, while around us forests die, fish rot, air and water are polluted, and human beings suffer.

“No sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah. Just as Jonah was a sign for the Ninivites, so will the Son of Man be a sign for the present age.” There is no need to ask for more signs. Jesus alone as the sign is more than enough. If we do not wake up from complacency and stubbornness, those who have gone before us will condemn us. And we ourselves ought to be a sign to the world through words and deeds; by the way we live our lives.