"I can easily be distracted from the “signs” with which God is choosing to reveal Himself in my life, through the situations and human beings in my immediate surroundings. I can become preoccupied with other issues, like far-away events I follow in the news (never satisfying), or even the weather, in a way that distracts me from my immediate responsibilities; in a way that distracts me from the presence of Christ and His signs in my own life. So let me keep my heart and my eyes wide open today, to the signs of my Lord’s presence in the people and situations He sends me in the here and now." (Sr. Dr. Vassa Larin)
“Both groups (Pharisees and Sadducees) asking for a sign from Christ receive the same answer: there is but one sign for all, “the sign of the prophet Jonah” (Matthew 16:4). Earlier, the Lord explains His reference to Jonah (Matthew 12:39-40); but on this occasion He focuses on the lack of spiritual depth in anyone who demands signs before he will believe (Matthew 16:2-4). He warns even His disciples against lame spiritual requests for miracles in order to believe (Matthew 16:5-11). Ironically, these encounters with sign-seekers occur in the midst of overt evidence of the presence of the kingdom of God, for Christ is healing the sick and feeding the hungry (Matthew. 15:29-38). (OCPM 7/24/2017)
“We don’t worship rituals. We worship the Lord. Signs and rituals are there only as tools to deepen the faith, to express it and practice it. We don’t meet the Lord because of “signs,” but we may meet Him in “signs.” That way, we may come to a better understanding of the Lord through worship and the sacraments. It is not sacraments or signs that we worship; we worship the Lord.” (Fr. Stavros N. Akrotirianakis)
“Ceremonies and rituals serve as reminders of our faith as well as instruct new or young believers, but we should not think that they give us any special merit before God. They are outward signs and seals that demonstrate inner belief and trust.” (Life Application Study Bible, Romans 4:10-12)
“The world and everything in it is part of a harmonious whole ordered by God and filled with meaning—and all things are signs pointing to God. Society is grounded in that higher reality. The world is charged with spiritual force.” (Rod Dreher)