Today's readings have to do with "signs". In the first reading Cain, who has murdered his brother Abel, is condemned by God to "become a restless wanderer on the earth." This is a powerful image of helplessness - no home, no friends, no one to turn to for protection. This punishment fills Cain with fear - fear of falling prey to robbers, murderers or family members seeking vengeance.

It is not so! The Lord put a mark on Cain. The mark is a sign of God's faithfulness to Cain in spite of his crime. Cain needs God's protection, and God remains protectively faithful.

In the second reading, the Pharisees argue with Jesus, seeking a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depth of his spirit and said, "Why does this generation seek a sign?" Like Cain and like the Pharisees, we too want a sign!

Why would Jesus sigh with apparent frustration at the request? Like the Pharisees, we forget that Jesus is the sign. For the Pharisees, the crowds, and the disciples, Jesus was the sign, but they did not perceive it. He was more significant than the 'signs' of physical healing, material feeding, and raising the dead. The Spirit moving through Jesus into the community was the sign. And so, it is today!