Readings: Jonah 3:1-10, Ps.51, Luke 11:29-32
Rev.
Fr. Emmanuel Emenike Onyia
INTERPRETING
THE SIGNS OF OUR TIME
Oftentimes,
when we reflect on our struggle with the ugly situations in our lives, our
families, societies and the world at large, we sincerely wish that God should
give you a sign from heaven as a way of showing us some definitive guidance or
direction towards addressing the situation. When this signs are not fourth
coming we feel bad and begin to question God or even doubt his presence in our
lives just the way must people in our country feels today because of the results
of the election. This was also the
disposition of the crowd in our Gospel passage today.
Where
we heard how those who were listening to Jesus were anxious to know what signs
to look out for when the End Times come. But Jesus said to them: “the only sign
that will be given is the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the
Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. Hence, Jesus states
that no sign will be given except the sign of Jonah. The “sign of Jonah” in
this passage refers to Jesus’ Crucifixion, his death, his three days in the
tomb and his Resurrection. Just the way
Jonah was three days in the belly of the whale.
Thus,
Jesus in this Gospel was making reference to our first reading, where because
of the preaching of prophet Jonah, the whole city of Nineveh went into great
mourning and repentance before God. Everyone from the King, who issued the
order to the whole city and its people to repent from their sins, right down to
the lowest among the people, all humbled themselves, tore their clothes and
wore sackcloth as a sign of penance.
The
point here is that Jesus’ death and
resurrection is the sign that will be given.
We should seek nothing other than this sacred mystery of our faith. This
is the sign and actions that the Lord Jesus is talking about when he addressed
the people who doubted him and demanded miraculous wonders and signs from him.
So,
here Jesus strongly condemns those seeking for signs because he wants us to
seek him through the gift of faith rooted in the mystery of his death and
resurrection. For every question, problem, struggle and confusion in our lives
can be addressed when we enter into the great mystery of our redemption. So,
seeking a sign other than this would be wrong, in that, it would be a way of
saying that the death and resurrection of Jesus is not enough sign for us.
Dear
Friends, the paschal mystery of Christ is the only sign we need. Therefore, as
we embrace the activities of this Holy season of Lent, Jesus is calling us to
repentance for sins make us blind in such a manner that we will continue to
seek for signs even when things are clear and obvious in our lives. But the questions we need to ask ourselves
are: what signs are we seeing around us today? How can we interpret the signs
of this times, the signs that tell us that this world is passing away? Do these
signs make us to dread the second coming of the Lord or do we joyfully embrace
it in anticipation?
Hence,
Jesus is warning us today not to waste our time seeking for signs, rather we
should be prepared, we should remain firm in faith. He reminds us that he is
the only sign that can be given to humanity. Therefore, we should not join the
crowds to look for signs especially this times of trial in our country, rather
we should seek for wisdom to make things right by turning your eyes to the
central mystery of our faith, that is the life, death and resurrection of
Christ, where every question can be answered and every grace is obtained. Let
us not give up, we must surly be victorious.
LET US
PRAY: Lord God, you are the sign that we seek,
as we embrace your word today give us the grace to recognize that in
Paschal mystery of Christ we find the true sign we desired and so obtain the
answer and directions to our daily struggles. We ask this through Christ our
Lord. Amen. Do have a blessed month.
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