It is 12th February 2018. The readings are from James 1:1-11; and the Gospel from Mark 8:11-13. Unless squeezed to the maximum, we will not get the full. Unless we are stormed by the violent winds of life, we will not be rooted deeply in the Lord. The core existence of our live cannot be experienced until we are splintered and sipped the utmost pain of life. Testing is inevitable to prove the best. We are mostly tested by the storms of lives to prove our allegiance to God and to root ourselves fabrics of the community. Without God and the blessings of God, it is indeed nearly impossible to face the storms of life. Human skills and ingenuity alone not sufficient to handle the force that gushes and slams us every moment of our lives. It is not privilege to be a believer, rather it is the privilege to go through trials and tribulations to prove our worth that makes us strong, perfect, pure, wise and gradually makes us mature, complete and fulfilled. A Catholic who refuses to go through the furnace of purification for one’s salvation has nothing to provide for the community around. “Whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but a happy privilege; because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” (James 1:1). The responsorial Psalm prays, “Let your love come to me and I shall live.” (Ps.118:77). Are we tired of being a Catholic or a believer in Christ? The Gospel responds to our quest telling that there is no sign other than Jesus himself. Repeatedly we have experienced the power and presence of Jesus in our lives through His loving interventions, yet we are looking for something else. We are looking for someone else other than Jesus just the Pharisees demanded a sign other than Jesus. Instead of surrendering ourselves, at times we are suspecting or doubting the power of God in His Only Son Jesus. Let us joyfully allow ourselves to be tested to root our entire being in God alone. May you have good day.