The Sign of Jonah

October 16, Monday of the Twenty-Eighth Week in Ordinary time
Memorial of Saint Margaret Mary Alacoque, virgin
Daily Readings: Romans 1:1–7, Luke 11:29–32

The greatest sign of God’s love is Jesus. A science professor began his school year with a lecture to the students. He said, Have you ever seen Jesus?' One of the students replied, 'No, sir. I've never seen Him. But I believe in him. The professor continued, “According to the rules of empirical, testable, and demonstrable protocol, science says your God doesn't exist.” The student replied, "No, sir, I have my faith. I believe that God exists.” The professor replied, “Yes, that is the problem science has with God. There is no evidence, only faith.” There was a moment of silence. Then, another student from the back of the classroom got up and asked, "Sir, have you seen electricity?” He said, “No.” “Yet you believe that there is electricity.” Yes, he said. The teacher was dumbfounded. Science and our senses cannot prove everything in life.

In the gospel today, Jesus said, “This is a wicked generation. It asks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” He called them wicked because their hearts were not right with God and they were in need of repentance. Jesus is rebuking them for their demand for a sign. Jesus said, “For as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation.” The only sign that Jesus promises is the sign of Jonah, a sign they did ask for. When he was speaking about the sign of Jonah, he was speaking about himself. Just as Jonah was sent to preach to the Ninevites, Jesus was sent to the world to preach repentance.

Jesus' resurrection from the dead three days later confirmed his mission, just as Jonah did while he was in the fish's belly for three days. Just as Jonah was the sign of a second chance for the Ninevites, we have in Jesus the second chance to march towards our salvation.

Today, the church honors St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. She opened her heart in devotion to the sacred heart of Jesus, and she experienced several visions of Christ’s love. May we rise out of our skepticism and doubt to experience the love of the sacred heart of Jesus.