No More Sign than Jesus
Brethren, the sign of Jonah is mostly understood by Matthew to mean the resurrection of Jesus after three days in the tomb, just as Jonah emerged from the belly of the sea beast after three days. But the story of Jonah has lovely value also for itself. The story of Jonah is written of course by a Jew but mocking the Jews for their complacency and their conviction that the Chosen Race were the only ones to be saved. The message is obvious: the gentiles are more responsive to the word of God than it is to the Jew. We, as Christians, have to be careful because we have all the gospel truth but if we don't take it seriously, other people, even have never heard the Gospel, will inherit the kingdom of God first before us.
The coming of the kingdom of God was fulfilled by and in the person of Jesus. That's why, in the Gospel, Jesus denies the sign to the Pharisees because he is the sign himself, and so the only sign will be that of Jonah. What an interesting way for Jesus to call the people to repentance. Simply put, the people of Nineveh repented when Jonah preached to them. However, the people in Jesus’ time did not. The result is that, at the end of time, the people of Nineveh will be given the responsibility of condemning those who failed to listen to Jesus.
The church gives us this reading at the beginning of lent to invite us to believe in Jesus more and his message of repentance. Lent is a time or repentance and reconciliation, and Jesus always call us for this. But if we become like the Jews who never believed in Jesus and his message, then we lose it all. His message should touch us, change our hearts and convert from all evil ways to doing good only. Let us not he a cursed generation too, always seeking for signs while we are the ones to become signs, the feet, hands, mouth, eyes and ears of Christ here on earth.
The first thing we should take from this is that condemnation for refusing to repent of one’s sins is real and serious. Jesus is speaking about eternal damnation to the people who fail to listen to His preaching. As a result of this very strong teaching of Jesus, we should sincerely look at our own willingness to repent, or lack thereof.
Secondly, it’s important to point out that the people Jesus chastised were far more blessed with the prophetic message than the people of Jonah’s time. Remember that Jonah was a man who, at first, ran from God and from his mission. He did not want to go to Nineveh and only did so after being swallowed and stayed for three days in the belly of a whale against his will. It’s hard to imagine that Jonah would have subsequently preached with a wholehearted zeal. But, nonetheless, his preaching was effective. The people of Jesus’ time were blessed with hearing the actual words of the Savior of the World. But so are we! We have the Gospels, the teachings of the Church, the witness of the great saints, the shepherding of the Holy Father, the Sacraments and so much more. We have countless methods of obtaining the Gospel message in our technological age and, yet we can easily fail to heed Christ’s message.
Thirdly, we need not to focus on signs. One of the most challenges our Christian faith has faced in our times, is looking for signs and miracles. Today many people are moving from one pastor to another pastor, from church to church, travelling many distances, looking for miracles and this has turned into drama as many now act and stage miracles in order to attract many people and fill their pockets. Brethren, this is not faith, it is testing God and we shall have to answer for all these on the last day. Are you among those people taken up by lies of those claiming to be true prophets while they are not? This is a challenge to faith, and we ought to make our fellow Christians aware of this.
Reflect, today, upon your own willing response to the words of Jesus. He speaks to us in powerful ways and yet we so often fail to listen. Our failure to listen leads to a failure of complete repentance from our sins. If this is you, reflect also upon the words of severe condemnation that await those who are obstinate. This realization should fill us with a holy fear and motivate us to listen to the preaching of our Lord.
Let us Pray
Lord, I know You speak to me in countless ways. You preach through Your Scriptures, Your Church and in my life of prayer. Help me to heed Your voice and accept all You say with perfect obedience and submission. I love You, my dear Lord, and I repent of my sin. Amen.
Be blessed
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