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.
Reflect
All you have to do is pick up a newspaper or click on your newsfeed to see how violence is
distorting our society. It impacts our nations, our communities, and our personal relationships.
We see it in violent crime and the rise of imprisonment as a solution, mass shootings, wars
and arms dealing, kidnapping, the drug trade, domestic abuse, and even the abuse of children
and vulnerable adults by those trusted to keep them safe. Sometimes it seems as though our
whole world bears the mark of Cain.
Like the Pharisees, we test God, asking for a sign, alternately demanding and begging that he
banish violence from our world. But we are reminded that we too have a tole to play in eliminating
violence. We cannot simply hide our heads in the sand, offering the victims our thoughts and
prayers. Instead, we and our leaders must think about the causes of violence and pray for the
courage and commitment to address them. God will not let such prayers go unheard.
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