In today's Gospel, Jesus was likely speaking to Jews, believers in God (see Lk 11:37). Jesus' message for his believing hearers was that they would be given only the sign of Jonah (Lk 11:29), who was "buried" for three days and then "rose" to new life. Since Jesus' hearers couldn't have imagined Jesus' impending death and resurrection, the meaning of the sign would likely have been that the worst sinners are capable of unimaginable repentance. Jesus wanted the believing Jews to know that repentant pagans and sinners would be entering the Kingdom of God, even before they would (see Mt 21:31).
Therefore, because of such a great sign, we believers should:
Heed the sign of Jonah. Repent; humbly seek God's wisdom; evangelize. Enter the Kingdom of God.
| PRAYER: | Holy Spirit, grant me the grace to "read the signs of the times" and act according to Your will (Mt 16:3). |
| PROMISE: | "It was for liberty that Christ freed us." –Gal 5:1 |
| PRAISE: | Peter seeks out the signs instituted by Christ, the sacraments, in order to seek wisdom and strength to spread the gospel. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College