Today’s readings speak to a temptation
that quietly undermines faith:
the desire to believe
only when God proves Himself.

In the first reading from James,
we are told something surprising:

“Count it all joy
when you meet trials.”

Not because suffering is good,
but because testing reveals
what is real.

Trials show
whether our faith is rooted in God
or in comfort.

James tells us
that endurance produces maturity.

Faith that has never been tested
remains shallow.

Faith that has been tested
becomes strong.

James also speaks
to the danger of double-mindedness.

A person who wavers,
who asks God for wisdom
but does not trust Him,
is unstable.

Not because God refuses to give,
but because the heart is divided.

This prepares us
for the Gospel from Mark.

The Pharisees come to Jesus
and demand a sign.

Not because they want to believe,
but because they want to control.

They have seen His works.
They have heard His teaching.

But they want proof on their terms.

Jesus sighs deeply.

This is not irritation.
It is grief.

“Why does this generation seek a sign?”

Faith that demands a sign
is not really faith.

It is a negotiation.

Jesus refuses to play that game.

He gives them no sign
because no sign would satisfy
a heart that does not want to trust.

James and the Gospel
are addressing the same issue.

Do we trust God
when things are uncertain?

Or do we believe
only when everything is clear?

James says
that God gives generously
to those who ask in faith.

The Pharisees ask,
but not in faith.

They ask as judges,
not as disciples.

This is a warning to us.

It is easy to pray
while secretly demanding guarantees.

To say,
“God, I will trust you
if you show me first.”

But God calls us
to trust
so that we may see.

This is especially important
when life is hard.

When prayers seem unanswered.
When suffering persists.

James does not say
we will avoid trials.

He says they can deepen us
if we allow God to work.

The Pharisees refuse that path.

They want proof without conversion.

They want certainty without surrender.

Jesus walks away.

Not because He does not care —
but because faith cannot be forced.

Today’s readings ask us:

What kind of faith are we living?

A faith that clings to God
even when things are unclear?

Or a faith that demands evidence
before it commits?

James tells us
that the rich and the poor
are both tested.

The poor are tempted to despair.
The rich are tempted to rely on themselves.

Both need humility.

Both need trust.

The Gospel reminds us
that God does not reveal Himself
to be evaluated.

He reveals Himself
to be followed.

The Pharisees wanted a spectacle.

Jesus offered a relationship.

One can be observed.
The other must be trusted.

Faith is not blind.

But it is courageous.

It steps forward
before all answers are known.

May we ask today
for the grace of a steady heart.

Not one that demands signs, but one that trusts the God
who is already at work.

For faith that is tested
and faith that is surrendered
becomes faith that is strong.