Sign of Jonah

“The only sign it will be given is the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was in the belly of the sea-monster for three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.”

The expectation of the scribes and Pharisees was silly. Calling them “an evil and unfaithful generation” showed Jesus’ exasperation. How could they ask him for a sign while they were surrounded by the signs he gave them? Wasn’t he God’s sign to them?

Yet Jesus gives an interesting sign for them and for us: the sign of Jonah. The sign of Jonah is Jesus’ primary metaphor for transformation in the gospels. God used Jonah inspite of himself. Jonah was trying to run away from God. But God uses him for transformation of the people of Nineveh.

By getting into the belly of the whale (or sea-monster), Jonah becomes an agent of transformation. For us too, this is way to transformation according to our Lord. Getting into the darkness, pain, grief and misery is the way towards maturity, growth, change and transformation. Therefore, by avoiding darkness we may avoid God himself. We may avoid God’s plan of transformation for us and for others. But by accepting cross and pain, we accept God himself. At times, we may be called to live without meaning, in darkness. Along with patience and endurance, and by embracing meaninglessness and darkness we shall find life. This is the paschal pattern of life that we are called to embrace. If we want to grow, we need to accept pain as part of the plan.

Even death is part of life; failure is part of success. Even doubts become necessary for faith; uncertainties needed for certainty. Everything has its place. Nothing is ever lost; everything is transformed.