THE SIGN OF JONAH

PRAYER MOMENT

Monday 14 October 2013

THE SIGN OF JONAH

Pause.  Be still in the presence of God

Reading. “The only sign this wicked generation will be given is the sign of Jonah.” (Luke 11:29-32)

Reflection. The spoor of an animal, the colour of the sky. We have looked hard at signs since the dawn of time. But are we losing the energy to interpret them? The bird and the rabbit are alert all the time but are our senses blunted by the constant noise of twitter and TV? Jesus asked the Jews why they could not see the meaning of the “signs of the times.” The great sign of Jesus is his challenge to society. It was a world of wealth and oppression by the few and eking out a minimum existence by the many. He confronted this world and told the people it does not have to be like this. His great message was compassion, which he showed to all; to Zacchaeus the exploitative tax collector and to the woman caught in adultery. The powers that be did not like it and they crucified him. But death could not hold him and he rose again and that was what Jonah’s sign pointed to.

Prayer. Lord, open our eyes to the signs all around us; signs of suffering and oppression, signs of struggle and hope, signs of generosity and love. Help us to look out for all that is good and affirm it and build on it.  Amen