REFLECT
The Signs of the Times and the Light to the Nations

Read the readings for Mass here:
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030922.cfm 
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus addresses with His disciples the tension between fidelity to the Gospel and the godlessness of society.  Often, it is difficult to know just where we stand and where we’re headed.  Think of Saint Paul’s admonition to the Romans: “Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect,” (Romans 12:2).

Jesus gives the disciples their bearings by referring to Solomon, Jonah, and the Ninevites.  Each of these figures serve as signs for different things: Solomon for wisdom, Jonah for prophecy, and the Ninevites for repentance.  Jesus was essentially saying that Solomon—in all his wisdom—couldn’t hold a candle to His own (“there is something greater than Solomon here”); that people in every age needed prophets to speak Truth about God and about themselves (“as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation”); and that the waywardness of their own society resembled that of Nineveh (“the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it”).  How these words must have piqued the disciples’ curiosity, to know that they might be in the presence of someone greater than Solomon or Jonah! At the same time, how jarring must it have been to hear that the Ninevite heathens—who repented upon hearing the words of Jonah—would call out the waywardness of the disciples’ generation! In this moment, the disciples learned not only where they stood and where they were headed, but more importantly where they were called to go.  They received the signs they needed from Christ Himself.

Each of us is a called to follow Christ.  When we do this, our lives are signs to those around us, drawing them to follow Christ as well.  The signs or signals we give can be an inspiration to draw others closer to God, or they can be temptations, obstacles, or deterrents, drawing others away from God.  We cannot lead someone else to God unless we are drawing closer to God ourselves; and if we are leading someone away from God, it means that we are moving away from God as well.

Certainly, this reflection on signs and signals easily takes on deeper meaning with the imagery of light and darkness.  May the signals we give prove to share the very light of Christ (the Light of the world), so that we might grow in holiness and closeness to God, and lead those around us on this same path.

PRAY
Lord Jesus, help me to keep the eyes of my mind and heart always fixed on You, so that I might know the path to You more clearly.  Renew my mind and heart, so that I might resist the paths that lead away from You.  Give me the peace, joy, and courage to be a loving brother or sister, ready to accompany anyone on the path to You.  For you live and reign for ever and ever.  Amen.

ACT
Consider asking a trusted and holy friend to be a Lenten (or ongoing) prayer partner.  Accompany each other on the path to the Lord, through discipline and accountability.

For extra reflection on the call of Jonah, here is a link to homily by Bishop Robert Barron: