SIGN OF JONAH ~ CookingFood.Org

“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”

Daily Reflections

Monday, 16^thOctober 2017.

Twenty Eighth Week in Ordinary Time

Rom 1: 1-7;

Ps 98: 1-4 (R) 2;

Lk 11: 29-32.

SIGN OF JONAH

Do you ever wish that God would give you a sign from Heaven as a way of giving you some definitive guidance or direction in life? Do you look for signs from God and rely upon them? If God were to give us some clear sign in life revealing His will, we should take it as a gift and be grateful for it. But receiving a sign from God is different than seeking a sign from God.

Today, Jesus strongly condemns those seeking signs. Why does Jesus speak strongly against seeking signs? In large part because He wants us to seek Him through the gift of faith, rather than signs. Jesus states that no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah.

The sign of Jonah is the sign of the Resurrection. The point of comparison seems to be Jonah's three days in the fish's stomach and Jesus' death and burial in the tomb, to be raised to life on the third day. Both Jonah and Jesus preached repentance. The preaching of Jonah without any extraordinary sign was enough to convince the Ninevites. The result was Repentance and God turns his anger from Nineveh. Whereas in spite of all wonders and miracles that Jesus worked, it was not enough for the hard-hearted Jews. Jesus states that his ministry is even greater than Jonah's, and yet his people do not repent. That’s why Jesus calls the generation evil, because they do not believe and did not show any sign of conversion. Jesus exhorts his disciples to make sure that they see him and his kingdom clearly.

Reflect, today, upon the greatest “sign” God has ever given. And if you find yourself struggling with questions in life, turn your eyes to this one definitive sign. Turn your eyes to the central mystery of our faith: the life, death and Resurrection of Christ. It is there that every question can be answered and every grace is given. We need nothing more than this.

Prayer: Lord, Your life, death and Resurrection is all I need to know in life. Your perfect sacrifice gives me every answer and pours forth every grace. May I always turn to You as the sign I need every day. Jesus, I trust in You.