Reflection
Today’s gospel reading is from a chapter in Luke’s gospel that is part of Section V entitled
“The Journey to Jerusalem: Luke’s Travel Narrative.”
This Section of the gospel represents a significant transition from Section IV, “The Ministry in Galilee,” revealing that Jesus was now turning his full attention, as well as his preaching and teaching, to his forthcoming passion, death and resurrection. He was resolute about using the remainder of his ministry to instill a sense of urgency involving his teachings.
Jesus boldly tells the people gathered around him: “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah”. This is not a statement coming from a dispirited rabbi. Rather it is a direct challenge of the apathy he witnesses concerning his teachings, even among many of his own followers.
Jesus references Jonah as an example of the sign that was sent by God to turn the Ninevites from their evil ways. Of course, Jonah initially attempts to flee to Tarshish since he does not want to be the curator of the news of impending destruction of an immense city. However, God rebukes Jonah by having him thrown into the sea, where he is swallowed by a large fish and spit back out three days later, after his own retribution and prayer of repentance. Jonah goes on to be an eloquent sign to the people, such that the king admonishes all of the people, including the beasts, to fast, sacrifice, and repent of their evil ways. The stark message of Jonah was the instrument of the salvation of Nineveh. Similarly, Jesus references the pagan queen of the south (Sheba) who travels a great distance to hear the wisdom of Solomon and in turn condemns the men of her own generation.
Jesus infers that in his evil generation there is someone greater than Jonah or Solomon, the Son of Man, who can show them the way to salvation in order that they might avoid their own destruction.
What does this gospel message tell us today? In our modern world would Jesus claim that
“This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it, except the sign of Jonah.”
Are we much different than the people of Nineveh or those living in Jesus’ time? If not, who is the one, present with us today, that is greater than Jonah or the queen of the south who will be our sign? Certainly, the Ninevites responded admirably to Jonah’s message. Even in Jesus’ time many people turned from their evil ways to accept the ultimate sacrifice of the cross. How will people of our current generation respond to this gospel message?
For those of faith, it is understood that there is no longer a need for a sign. We have been blessed not only with the messages of Jonah and the queen of the south, but more than these, we have been privileged to witness and share in the message of the cross. This, of course, was the greatest of all signs. Could the people of Nineveh or the evil generation of Jesus time have witnessed and understood what we have? Let us hope and pray that most will fast, sacrifice and repent. Unfortunately some will still turn away. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross is a personal invitation for each individual. What will we choose to do?
May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts!
