The Sign of Jonah

February 24, 2021, Wednesday 
Wednesday of the First Week of Lent (Violet)
CYCLE B - YEAR I
RDGS: JON 3:1-10/ PS 51:3-4. 12-13. 18-19
GOSPEL: LK 11:29-32

While still more people gathered in the crowd, Jesus said to them,
"This generation is an evil generation;
it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it,
except the sign of Jonah. 
Just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites,
so will the Son of Man be to this generation.
At the judgment 
the queen of the south will rise with the men of this generation 
and she will condemn them,
because she came from the ends of the earth
to hear the wisdom of Solomon,
and there is something greater than Solomon here. 
At the judgment the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation
and condemn it,
because at the preaching of Jonah they repented,
and there is something greater than Jonah here."

GOSPEL REFLECTION:

Jesus compares himself to Jonah, another sign, calling for conversion. Our reaction to this call to the conversion will be our own judgment. I ask for a listening heart, open to Jesus, and ready to change its ways.

The word of God can transform us. Jonah proclaimed God’s word and the people repented. Saint Teresa of Avila, a great mystic and reformer, drew her inspiration from the riches of Sacred Scripture. Do I allow the gospels to transform me?

PRAYER:

You, Lord Jesus, are the sign of signs. Those who go seeking further wonders have not truly seen you. In you, I find all that I need to be fully human and to find my destiny with God.