You see signs

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us of the importance of the signs we see as we continue our spiritual journey. The episode from the Acts of the Apostles describes the peaceful angel like face of Stephen as he is aggressively accused of the very crimes which led to the execution of Jesus. The inner strength and peace which we witness in people like Stephen is noted by Friar Jude Winkler as the Holy Spirit speaking through Stephen. We are faced with opportunities daily to call on the Holy Spirit for the strength to transcend difficult situations. The witness we provide, like Stephen, can be a sign to others that something awesome is going on here. The crowds are described in the Gospel of John as seeking Jesus in the area of the Sea of Galilee where He had provided the multitude with their fill of bread, the previous day. Jesus implores the seekers then and now to be open to see deeper than the signs. What is the source of this goodness we witness? The good deed and the kind gesture pass but the Life which animates that witness continues eternally. As the psalmist prays today "Make me understand the way of your precepts and I will meditate on your wondrous works" (Psalm 119)