Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus,
“Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”
He said to them in reply,
“An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign,
but no sign will be given it
except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights,
so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth
three days and three nights.
At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah;
and there is something greater than Jonah here.
At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation
and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon;
and there is something greater than Solomon here.”
Lectio (Reading)
Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.Meditatio (Reflecting)
Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
Oratio (Responding)
Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.The people ask for another sign. The greek word for “sign” is “miracle”. This scene happens after many miracles, including the feeding of the 5000 and even the transfiguration, but these people are not looking for a sign of faith, they are looking for another spectacle. Jesus at this time has given many signs, and yet it still does not convince them and so He says the only sign they will be given is the sign of Jonah.
So what is the sign of Jonah? This is where our Disney-fied culture has done us a great disservice. The story of Johan is not about a man just hanging out in a whale for 3 days, and then popping out. It is a story that prefigures the death and ressurection of Jesus, and the whale is just the metaphor for death. In the story Jonah is told to go to Ninevah and preach repentance. Jonah (and all the Jews) hated the ninevites, and he does not want to go, and he even begins travelling in the opposite direction. He is then swallowed up by the whale, litterally dies (in the bible it says he is dead), and in 3 days is resurrected. Afterward he goes to the Ninevites, and preaches to them, and as a result the Ninivites repent, he and saves the whole city.
So what is Jesus telling these people with His statement? He is saying that His death and resurrection will be the new sign of Jonah. That when this happens they will know that Jesus is Lord, and God of all people. Jesus will die and in three days He will resurrect Himself, and like Jonah, He will bring His word to all the nations and they will repent. It is a beautiful analogy, and it was not lost on the jews of this time. He is rebuking them for their lack of faith, but telling them that soon they will have the ultimate sign, and at that point they will have to make a choice between good and evil, right an wrong, and their choice will be a true act of faith and not just a response to another miracle.
This is our call too, are you looking for a miracle in order to believe. Well the truth is that Jesus did many miracles. He is the 2nd person of the trinity, was incarnated as a man Jesus (through mary), he lived for 33 years, taught us the gospel, suffered, died, and resurrected Himself. Those are true facts, it has been attested, confirmed and re-confirmed, it is beyond doubt. So that fact puts a claim on you, are you going to believe it, are you going to reject it, or are you going to walk away unchanged? The first two are the only logical reactions, the 3rd is utterly ridiculous. What will you do? You must decide, but be aware, your eternity depends on it…, choose wisely.
Contemplatio (Contemplating)
Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.Resolutio (Resolving)
Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.O lord, today, help me to see your signs in my life, and to follow them to the end you have planned for us. Help me to not get distracted from hate or pride, and help me to do your will in this world. amen.