“sign of Jonah” was used by Jesus as a typological metaphor for His future crucifixion, burial, and resurrection.

The people of Nineveh repented of their evil ways after hearing Jonah’s call for repentance,
while the Pharisees continued in their unbelief despite being eyewitnesses to the miracles of Jesus.                

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊ 

Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31-5:1

 It says that Abra­ham had two sons,

One by a slave woman, the other by the free wo­man, his wife.   The son of the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but the son of the free woman was born in fulfillment of God’s promise.

 Here we have an allegory and the figures of two covenants. The first is the one from Mount Sinai, represented through Hagar: her children have slavery for their lot.

 But the Jerusalem above, who is our mother, is free.   And Scripture says of her: Re­joice, barren woman without children, break forth in shouts of joy, you who do not know the pains of childbirth, for many shall be the children of the forsaken mother, more than of the married woman.

 Brethren, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.

 Christ freed us to make us really free. So remain firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.    

 

Ps 113:1b-2, 3-4, 5a & 6-7

Blessed be the name of the Lord forever.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊      

Luke 11:29-32

 As the crowd increased, Jesus began to speak in this way, “People of the present time are evil people. They ask for a sign, but no sign will be given to them except the sign of Jonah.  As Jonah became a sign for the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be a sign for this generation.   The Queen of the South will rise up on Judgment Day with the people of these times and accuse them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and here there is greater than Solomon.   

The people of Nineveh will rise up on Judgment Day with the people of these times and accuse them, for Jonah’s preaching made them turn from their sins, and here there is greater than Jonah.

 

Gospel Reflection：

Sign of Jonah

Asking for a sign is an effort to circumvent the necessary laborious journey of faith. Faith is all about trusting God’s words and walking the valley of darkness. It is letting the mustard seed grow in the darkness and depth of our interiors. On the other hand, insistence on signs and miracles (which is aplenty among the faithful of any religion) is short-circuiting the journey of maturation in faith.

Jesus refuses to give any sign other than the sign of Jonah, which is all about Jonah’s journey, through the belly of the whale, into greater faith. Though unwillingly, Jonah lets himself be birthed into faith. It is a baptism, a paschal mystery, that each one of us must undergo, in one’s own unique way and assisted by genuine faith. And, once we arrive, like job, we wouldn’t ask for anything but only adore in awe and love.