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March 12, 2014

Many of us find it difficult to believe that we need to repent of our sins and change our lives; we are like the Pharisees who were looking for more signs than what they had already seen throughout Jesus’ ministry. Probably, if we see Jesus Christ appear in front of us, calling us to repent then that’s the only time we will convert; or if we see a cross appear in the sky, or something to that sort, we will tremble with fear and turn to Jesus. In that case, we are a “wicked generation” for we will only believe in Christ if we see a sign. You may say, “but I do believe in Jesus Christ.” If we do believe, then we should be like the people of Nineveh who repented when Jonah preached to them. Christ comes to help us with a sign.

In another Gospel, Jesus said, “For as Jonah was in the belly of a 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. Christ is alluding to himself, to the period he would spend in the tomb. Just as Jonah came out of the belly of the whale, Christ also came out of the tomb. This is the sign that Jesus had given us and continues to be the sign for us today. In times when you find yourself in a tomb, believe that Christ, who already entered into death and came out of it with a new life, will not leave you in your tomb and will bring you out of it to experience his new life. Whether this tomb is a heavy trial, a serious sin, a vice or any sort of death, you can experience Christ’s resurrection. He is always ready to manifest his glory by performing this sign in your life.

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All Issues > Volume 30, Issue 2

<< Wednesday, March 12, 2014 >>

Jonah 3:1-10
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Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19

Luke 11:29-32
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FORTY DAYS FOR THREE DAYS

"Forty days more..." —Jonah 3:4

In about forty days, we will celebrate the Triduum, which is the three days of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. During these three days, we remember and observe Jesus' Passion, death, and Resurrection; in these three days, Jesus triumphed over sin, death, and the kingdom of darkness.

The prophet Jonah walked through the wicked city of Nineveh proclaiming: "Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed" (Jn 3:4). Before this announcement, Jonah spent three days inside the belly of a huge fish. When Jesus was asked for a sign, He responded with the sign of Jonah, who was "buried" for three days inside the fish and under the sea, and then "rose" from three days in the sea. Although God spared Nineveh from physical destruction, He did culturally destroy the wicked Nineveh and replaced it with renewed citizens who bore a repentant, humble spirit. Jesus thus linked forty days with three days.

Jesus once used forty days in the desert to prepare for His "three days" in the tomb. Imitate Jesus and use these remaining forty days to prepare for the three days of the Triduum. Prepare as did the citizens of Nineveh when they heard the prophecy of Jonah. Cultivate a "godly sorrow" for any times you have sinned or disobeyed the Lord (see 2 Cor 7:8-11). "Be earnest about it, therefore. Repent!" (Rv 3:19)

Prayer: "Have mercy on me, O God, in Your goodness; in the greatness of Your compassion wipe out my offense. Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me" (Ps 51:3-4).

Promise: "You have a Greater than Jonah here." —Lk 11:32

Praise: When confronted by an angry co-worker, Frank kept calm because he had formed the habit of letting the Lord guide his thoughts through the Scriptures (see Jas 1:19).