FR. GERALD MUSA HOMILY FOR MONDAY OF THE 28TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME CYCLE II
THEME: SIGN OF JONAH
BY: FR GERALD M. MUSA
HOMILY FOR MONDAY OCTOBER 10 2022
An African Proverb says, “We all need forgiveness at one point or another in our lives.” The people of Nineveh sinned against God and needed forgiveness. After the prophet Jonah preached to them, the King and the entire people of Nineveh believed in God and expressed remorse and sorrow through fasting. They put on sackcloth, called God with all their might, and immediately turned away from their sins. God forgave them. The Jews were unlike the Ninevites in responding to the message of repentance that Jesus preached. Instead of turning away from their sins, they asked Jesus to perform signs and wonders. Jesus said to them, “This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah” (Luke 11:29). The Sign of Jonah’ is interpreted as a sign of repentance and as a symbol, metaphor, and prophecy of the death and resurrection of Jesus, just as Jonah stayed in the belly of the whale for three days and three nights. As Jonah was a sign of repentance to the people of Nineveh, so is Jesus sign of repentance to all believers. Can we see each day as an opportunity for turning to God and opening new chapters in our lives?
LUKE 11:29-32
Monday, 28th Week
