To the Pharisees who wanted a dazzling, miraculous sign, Jesus offered the sign of Jonah (Lk 11:29). What was the sign of Jonah? It was a sign of the Resurrection of Jesus. Jonah was buried in the water in the belly of a large fish, and was delivered safely to land on the third day (Jon 2:1, 11). The sign of Jonah was also the sign of repentance. The entire population of the wicked city of Nineveh, 120,000 people, repented upon hearing the prophetic word of Jonah (Jon 3:4ff).
One of the greatest signs of God's saving action is a repentant heart. To see 120,000 repentant hearts was a phenomenal sign that was difficult to miss. In Jesus' time, tax collectors and prostitutes, the most public of sinners, were repenting and turning to the Lord. Nonetheless, the Pharisees missed this sign, even when Jesus pointed it out to them (Mt 21:31).
Perhaps many do not notice the Lord working in the present time because they don't see people repenting of their sins and changing their lives. If repentant sinners are the sign that could bring people to God (see Lk 15:7), then let's repent and get in line for Confession. Lengthen the line for Confession by repenting of your sins and inviting others to Confession. Be a sign. "Be earnest about it, therefore. Repent!" (Rv 3:19)
| PRAYER: | Father, create in me a clean heart (Ps 51:12) so that I might be a life-long minister of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:18). |
| PROMISE: | It was for liberty that Christ freed us. So stand firm, and do not take on yourselves the yoke of slavery a second time!" –Gal 5:1 |
| PRAISE: | Pope St. Callistus I was a humble slave. God exalted him (Mt 23:12) and he eventually ascended to the office of Pope. As Pope, Callistus exalted Jesus and vigorously defended His divinity. |
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