Word to the Wise
Wednesday, February 13, 2008 - Wednesday in the First Week of Lent
[Jonah 3:1-10 and Luke 11:29-32]This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah!
Jonah was the only 100% successful prophet in the Old Testament. Once God managed to overcome Jonah's reluctance with near-shipwreck and being swallowed by a "whale," Jonah set out for the city of Nineveh and to his amazement (and disappointment?) they repent! Jonah as sign appears both in Luke today and in Matthew (12:38-40). Matthew adds the image of the three days and nights in the belly of the whale as a prefiguring of the death and resurrection of Jesus - the ultimate sign. However, in Luke today, it is Jonah as preacher which is the sign. The Ninevites hear the message and repent. Why won't the generation repent that Jesus preached to? Why do they need a "sign" in order to repent? Are we like them? It is true that some folks "repent" after an event that shakes them - perhaps a near miss accident, or the death of a loved one, or a life-threatening illness, or a jail term! We may not assume, however, that these dramatic events are caused by divine intervention, even if they are occasions of a life-transforming decision. They are definitely opportunities, but how many of us want to have that kind of experience? Can't we listen to Jesus' preaching and see the gift that he offers: eternal life and a life of loving one another! That's quite a sign! No one else can offer that! Solomon and Jonah can't compete with Jesus! The Ninevites and the Queen of Sheba, however, knew God's word when they heard it! Now it's our turn. AMEN
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