Jesus and the Sign of Jonah

Saint John Paul II, Pope Benedict XVI, and Pope Francis have said, in so many words and in their own unique style, that the problem is not that God has not fully revealed himself to man but rather that He has revealed too much and it is too difficult for us to comprehend. It is difficult to understand how the Creator could be held by His creation. It is difficult to reckon how God could take on human suffering even until death, death on the cross. Is this God really all-powerful, all-knowing, all-everything as the catechisms tell us?

The problem is not so much the fact that God isn't all that and more, but rather that He doesn't fit our mold. He refuses to be boxed in. His ways are not our ways. Thank God!

I often think back to times in my faith walk where I asked God for a sign. I asked Him for silly things and serious things. I asked because I was lost and needed direction. Often He answered me clearly and without delay. Other times it seemed as though He didn't hear a word I uttered. As I look back now, it is those times of silence on His part that I cherish. I cherish them because I realize He did not answer my request because He had something far better planned. Yes, the silence was difficult at the time, but it has trained me to be more trusting, more patient, and more faithful.

In today's Gospel the people are pressing Jesus for some sort of a sign. They want proof that He is who they think He is. They want something that will remove all doubt. They want more bread, more healings, levitations, shows of power or something of the like. To this request Jesus says, "no," at least He won't give them the silly signs they desire but the ultimate sign of His divinity, the Resurrection. Like Jonah of old, who was spewed upon the shore after three days in the belly of the whale, Jesus will spend three days in the belly of the earth and be spewed upon the shores of eternity.  We will too and His resurrection is the only sign we need.

The Sign of Jonah

Not a fisherman was he,

To Tarshish did he flee,

When wind ripped stern and sail,

Causing men, tough, to wail.

Call thy God was their plea,

Throw me in the sea answered he,

Their offering, the sea quelled,

In its belly prophet dwelled.

To life again once more,

Spewed upon the sinners' shore.

Forty days and then no more,

Cried he from door to door.

Sackcloth, ashes, fast no feast,

Every man, woman, beast,

Turn from evil way, perhaps,

God will let His evil pass.

City moved heart Divine,

Unwilling prophet made a sign.

Another Jonah, Solomon too,

The final sign then nothing new,

Far greater than those ancient two,

The sign this One would do.

Like Nineveh of olden days,

Sackcloth, ashes, go your way.

The Word's been spoken,

There's nothing more,

This prophet spewed upon eternal shore,

Condemned by those of years long past,

Who saw God in the men that passed,

But here God, himself a man,

Turn from sin whilst thy can.

More poetry is available from James M. Hahn in The Last Dragon and Other Poems (#ad) available now.

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