Homily for Monday of the 6th Week in Ordinary Time

Throughout the Gospel of Mark, Jesus's emotions are more frequently referenced than in the other Gospels. As a fully divine and fully human being, Jesus experienced the full range of human emotions without sin.

In today's Gospel reading, Jesus responds to the Pharisees' argument and request for a sign with a deep sigh from the depths of His spirit, followed by the question "Why does this generation seek a sign?"

It's hard not to sense the Lord's frustration in this moment as we witness it. We've all experienced a similar sigh, both from ourselves and others, and know the emotion it conveys. However, why was Jesus sighing, and what was the frustration He was experiencing as He dealt with the Pharisees?

Throughout history, religious people have often sought out signs from heaven and extraordinary visions. However, Jesus consistently directs us towards finding the divine in the ordinary moments of our lives: a sower sowing seed in a field, a woman searching for her lost coin, a Samaritan caring for a stranger on the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, a man unexpectedly finding treasure in his field, and so on.

If we only look for God in rare, miraculous moments, we miss His presence in the ordinary moments of our everyday lives, where He dwells at all times. It is often in the ordinary that we can find the mystery of God's kingdom, for God's creation is full of His glory.