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To those who wanted to see Him work a magic trick, Jesus replied: "An evil and unfaithful age is eager for a sign! No sign will be given it but that of the prophet Jonah. Just as Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of the whale, so will the Son of Man spend three days and three nights in the bowels of the earth" (Mt 12:39-40). In other words, in answer to their request for a sign, Jesus gave them the sign of the cross. The sign of the cross is like a stop sign. When we are driving and we see a stop sign, we automatically come to a stop and look to see what is happening. When we see a crucifix, we must react the same way. We should immediately stop. We look on the crucified Jesus, keeping "our eyes fixed on Jesus" (Heb 12:2). This should stop us in our tracks. As mighty men and women of old have reacted (Is 52:14-15), we stand speechless before the sight of the Son of God hanging in agony. We listen to Jesus, as He says: "Stop, and know that I am God" (see Ps 46:11). Stop sinning, stop striving, stop running. "You have only to keep still" (Ex 14:14). Stop, in the name of Love! |
