Sēmeion (Sign)

Greetings on this the Monday of the Twenty-eighth Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Romans 1:1-7; Psalm 98:1bcde, 2-3ab, 3cd-4; Luke 11:29-32

Summary

Yesterday we listened to the story of the Ten Lepers – all healed – only one gave thanks. Today we are treated to the gospel portion where Jesus makes a comparison between those who listen (or even want to listen) and those who do not actually receive truth and ‘seek a sign’.

Evil of the Generation

While still more people gathered in the crowd, he 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 (Lk 11:29 x-ref MK 8:12 and MT 8:38).

Some of the people and leadership were seeking a ‘sign on demand’ – like video on-demand from cable TV – in their minds, the miracle would reveal not just the immediate effect but an indication of Jesus’ origin and power and authority. While the outward reasons are valid of themselves, the interior motivation is missing and therefore void of holiness.

Interestingly, Jesus had already done signs on multiple occassions and in leading proximity to today’s gospel portion. In Mark, Jesus already multiplied two loaves. In Matthew, Jesus cured the withered hand. In Luke, Jesus drove out demons. So it isn’t about the fact of doing miracles, it is the refusal to recognize the authority in which Jesus acts.

The Sign of Jonah

Up front for those who follow the blog you know I give an honest evaluation of Jonah – in particular – the resistant prophet who begrudgingly obeyed the Lord but never changed in his interior as to his deep hatred of the Ninevites. Having said that, this gospel portion, Jesus redeems Jonah. That makes me happy. Jesus, forgiving Jonah’s stubbornness, speaks of the Sign of Jonah, thus giving him forgiveness.

Jonah’s Virtue in Distress

• Thrown into the turbulent seas to die.
• In the belly of a fish 3 days. Human Sushi.
• Preaches to a people not likely to accept his word (maybe even kill him) but preaches anyway.

So the Sign of Jonah isn’t simply the fish belly story – although that is cool of itself.

The redeemed sign of Jonah is:

1. Jesus is thrown into the turbulent Seas of Man’s discontent.
2. Jesus will spend three days in the belly of the earth.
3. Jesus preaches to a people who eventually kill him but he preached anyway.

Then, to punctuate the point, Jesus gives the two critical comparisons.

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 (LK 11:31). Jesus is greater than Solomon.

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 (LK 11:32). Jesus is greater than Jonah.

Solomon in the Royal Line of genealogy. Jonah the Prophet.

Jesus is the greatest in the royal descendents. Jesus is the greatest prophet.

Jesus is saying. You’ve seen and heard of the signs I have performed. You simply will not acknowledge my lineage, my royal nature and my prophetic being.

Reflection

If the nine healed lepers had nine different reasons to fail to say thank you, these – who seek signs – refuse to see the truth.

Personal Reflection

Lord, I do not want to live in denial. I want to acknowledge the miracles and signs of your Gospel life and the continued love of the Father who blesses us.

Anid, in the Sign, of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen!

Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/101325.cfm

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry