Jonah 3.1-10 | Luke 11.29-32

Today the evangelist Luke tells us about Jonah's preaching for the conversion of the Ninevites and about the Queen of the South's search for Solomon's wisdom.

Before a large crowd gathered, Jesus said that that generation was evil and that, despite seeking a sign, they would only receive the sign of Jonah.

Jesus recalled that, after hearing Jonah's preaching, the inhabitants of Nineveh quickly converted. He said that, at that moment, the Son of Man was a greater sign than Jonah for the conversion of that generation.

Jesus also recalled that the Queen of the South, who came from a distant land to hear Solomon's wisdom, was a sign for that generation to seek wisdom from the Son of Man, who was greater than Solomon.

During this Lent, a time of conversion and seeking wisdom, let us listen carefully to the words of the Son of Man, Jesus, and let us leave behind the old life of sin to receive the new life in the Grace of God. He who is greater than Jonah and Solomon is the source of the perfect Wisdom that we must seek to live as pleases God.

Today the book of Jonah also tells us about the rapid conversion of the Ninevites. Because of their sins, the city of Nineveh would be destroyed in 40 days if its inhabitants did not convert. The mission that the Lord gave Jonah was to call the Ninevites to conversion. It took 3 days to cross the city. But one day of preaching was enough for the inhabitants to listen to Jonah and convert, including the King of Nineveh, doing penance and trusting in divine forgiveness. Then the Lord had mercy and the city was not destroyed. 

This Lent, on the one hand, let us take seriously the divine call to conversion, before our sins destroy us, our families, society, the world and; on the other hand, like Jonah, let us make the call to conversion reach the ears and hearts of all people.

Local: Springfield, MA, EUA

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