By Stephen Langsianmunga Malneu csc –
Readings: Jon 3:1-10; Lk 11:29-32
Most of us worry about signs and symbols. We mostly look for signs and symbols when we are not familiar with the situation or place. And through the information we get, we somehow manage to do certain things and are able to cope with the situations well. It is obvious that most of us are relying too much on our intellectual capacity, knowledge, and other signs or symbols; but fail to rely on God and see the divine aspect in life.
Coming to the first reading, Jonah himself was a sign for the people of Nineveh for he spoke in the name of Yahweh. Similarly, Jesus, in the gospel was a sign for the people of his time. The book of Jonah gives us a clear indication that Jonah had given forty days to the people of Nineveh to repent.
So too, the church has given us the opportunity to look into our lives, our sinfulness during these forty days of Lent. The people of Nineveh made use of the opportunity given to repent and turned to the Lord. And so today, we are invited to make use this season of grace and embrace the Lord with sincere heart of repentance.