Signs of God

The reading from Revelation today says a great sign appeared in the sky. Our lives are surrounded by signs, and the church uses signs as signals of grace. But how do we read signs, especially the everyday ones?

I've known people who like the extraordinary signs. They run to sights of alleged apparitions to see the wonders and miracles. I myself visited Lourdes, not so much to see signs, but to experience a place  renown for its miracles. It was beautiful, but it did not feed my soul as much as Lisieux.

I think that signs are sent by God to guide us along the way. The important thing is not looking for the signs...because that can lead us astray. The important thing is to look for God, and in our search, we will recognize those signs he sends to us directly.

The scribes and pharisees asked Jesus for a sign, and he told them none would be given. Looking for signs in a way is looking for answers. And God doesn't seem to like to give us answers. Rather, he prolongs the questions, as if we must understand the question before we can understand the answer.

One of the psalms says I lift up my eyes to the Lord, from whence shall come my help. Such sentiments should echo in our hearts. Signs and wonders belong to the unbeliever. Seeking God and his holiness belongs to the ardent soul searching for meaning. We all know in life that signs merely point a direction. If we haven't a destination, it will mean little.