Reflect today on any person in your life with whom you regularly discuss

The Pharisees stepped forward and began arguing with Jesus, asking him for a sign from heaven to test him. He sighed from the depths of his spirit and said, “Why is this generation looking for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation “. Mark 8: 11-12 Jesus had performed many miracles. He healed the sick, restored sight to the blind, hearing the deaf and fed thousands of people with just a few fish and loaves. But even after all this, the Pharisees came to argue with Jesus and asked for a sign from heaven. Jesus' response is quite unique. “He sighed from the depths of his spirit…” This sigh was an expression of His holy sorrow for the hardness of the Pharisees' hearts. If they had the eyes of faith, they wouldn't need another miracle. And if Jesus had done a "sign from heaven" for them, that too would not have helped them. And so Jesus does the only thing he can: he sighed. Sometimes, this type of reaction is the only good one. We all can face situations in life where others confront us with harshness and stubbornness. When that happens, we will be tempted to argue with them, condemn them, try to convince them that we are right and the like. But sometimes one of the most sacred reactions we can have to the hardness of another's heart is to feel deep and holy pain. We also need to "sigh" from the bottom of our spirit.

When you are hard of heart, speaking and arguing rationally will prove to be of little help. Hardness of heart is also what we traditionally call the "sin against the Holy Spirit". It is a sin of obstinacy and stubbornness. If so, there is little or no openness to the truth. When one experiences this in another's life, silence and a grieving heart are often the best reaction. Their hearts need to be softened and your deep pain, shared with compassion, can be one of the only responses that can help make a difference. Reflect today on any person in your life with whom you regularly discuss, especially on matters of faith. Examine your approach and consider changing the way you relate to them. Reject their irrational arguments and let them see your heart in the same way that Jesus allowed His divine heart to shine in a holy sigh. Pray for them, have hope and let your pain help melt the most stubborn hearts. Prayer: My compassionate Jesus, your heart was filled with the deepest compassion for the Pharisees. That compassion has led You to express holy sorrow for their stubbornness. Give me your own heart, dear Lord, and help me cry not only for the sins of others, but also for my own sins, especially when I am stubborn of heart. Melt my heart, dear Lord, and help me also to be an instrument of Your holy pain for those who need this grace. Jesus I believe in you.