Word to the Wise
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 - 1st Week of Lent - Wed
[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. Just as Jonah became a sign to the NInevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.....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." [Luke]
Jesus' words in this passage from the Gospel According to Luke reflect his frustration that people cannot see beyond the miraculous to the reality of God's saving plan. Jonah was one of the few, if not the only, prophets whose preaching was heard and repentance occurred!! The usual fate of the Old Testament prophets (and of John the Baptist) was to be ignored or martyred! It's no wonder that Jonah did everything he could to avoid the call! It took a whale to convince him! His story would be well-known to Jesus' audience and the conversion of Nineveh could be a "sign" to that audience of something very important occurring in their midst: Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God!!! If only they would listen and act!
Who are the prophetic figures of faith for our generation? Do we expect something miraculous before we can believe what they say? What is our reaction to Jesus' challenging words to have faith in him AND to change our lives in accordance with his teaching? Is our reaction a temporary one for the 40 days of Lent and then back to "business as usual" once we get past Easter Sunday? There is someone greater than Jonah in our midst! What will he say to us at the judgment? AMEN