The Gospel
Luke 11:29-32
No sign given except the sign of Jonah
St. Gaspar
"Let us praise God who makes use of the weakest of instruments for the great work of his glory" [1]
Sometimes the means that seem to us to be the weakest are the ones that God makes use of for the great works of his glory, and from the lives of the saints this appears to be quite evident. Stress to all that they are to pray and offer frequent prayers; that they often kiss the wounds of Jesus (at least in spirit); that from time to time they mentally return to Calvary; that they consider their own wretchedness - and any other thoughts that you find helpful according to the needs that those souls have.[2]
“A Book to be read. It is the Crucifix.”[3]
Reflection
The book of Jonah is an amazing story. Since no sign except the Sign of Jonah will be given this generation, it is important to read and understand this whole story. There is a great deal more to this prophet than just three days in the belly of a whale. Jonah was an irreverent and disobedient Hebrew prophet. The pagan sailors had a greater respect for life and reverence for God. God desired repentance. Jonah preached destruction. Still God accomplishes his purpose through the prophet Jonah. God’s instructions to Jonah were very clear and even at the end of the story Jonah does not get it. Still God is compassionate and so at the end is gently respecting Jonah’s feelings while quietly reminding Jonah of the truth.
The Sign of Jonah is not some mystical vision or magical locution. We don't trust in magic or long for grand occurrences. The Sign of Jonah is the presence of God in unlikely places. God is found in foreign lands and among foreign people. He is found among the stranger, the pagan, the enemy. He is found in our struggles, our difficulties and in our sorrows. He is found in the crucified one. God reveals himself in second chances, remaining faithful to his word yet accomplishing his work even through the disobedient. The intensity of God's love is for all people, as well as plants, and the cattle. For St. Gaspar, reading the book of the cross was a place to find the sign of Jonah. In Jonah God accomplishes his work through the weakest of servants and on the Cross God is revealed in the presence of a beaten, broken, condemned criminal. The cross was the unlikely place to find God. It is there we find mercy in his blood.
[1] Letter to Fr. Domenico Silvestri, March 16, 1827, letter 1590
[2] Letter 50, To Countess Lucrezia Ginnasi, February-April, 1813
[3] Letter to Fr. Antonio Pascucci, January 1827, Letter 1555
Luke 11:29-32
No sign given except the sign of Jonah
St. Gaspar
"Let us praise God who makes use of the weakest of instruments for the great work of his glory" [1]
Sometimes the means that seem to us to be the weakest are the ones that God makes use of for the great works of his glory, and from the lives of the saints this appears to be quite evident. Stress to all that they are to pray and offer frequent prayers; that they often kiss the wounds of Jesus (at least in spirit); that from time to time they mentally return to Calvary; that they consider their own wretchedness - and any other thoughts that you find helpful according to the needs that those souls have.[2]
“A Book to be read. It is the Crucifix.”[3]
Reflection
The book of Jonah is an amazing story. Since no sign except the Sign of Jonah will be given this generation, it is important to read and understand this whole story. There is a great deal more to this prophet than just three days in the belly of a whale. Jonah was an irreverent and disobedient Hebrew prophet. The pagan sailors had a greater respect for life and reverence for God. God desired repentance. Jonah preached destruction. Still God accomplishes his purpose through the prophet Jonah. God’s instructions to Jonah were very clear and even at the end of the story Jonah does not get it. Still God is compassionate and so at the end is gently respecting Jonah’s feelings while quietly reminding Jonah of the truth.
The Sign of Jonah is not some mystical vision or magical locution. We don't trust in magic or long for grand occurrences. The Sign of Jonah is the presence of God in unlikely places. God is found in foreign lands and among foreign people. He is found among the stranger, the pagan, the enemy. He is found in our struggles, our difficulties and in our sorrows. He is found in the crucified one. God reveals himself in second chances, remaining faithful to his word yet accomplishing his work even through the disobedient. The intensity of God's love is for all people, as well as plants, and the cattle. For St. Gaspar, reading the book of the cross was a place to find the sign of Jonah. In Jonah God accomplishes his work through the weakest of servants and on the Cross God is revealed in the presence of a beaten, broken, condemned criminal. The cross was the unlikely place to find God. It is there we find mercy in his blood.
- Where in my weakness and disobedience might I find the presence and action of God?
- Where do I need the greatest change?
- How might I allow God to use me for the great work of his glory?
[1] Letter to Fr. Domenico Silvestri, March 16, 1827, letter 1590
[2] Letter 50, To Countess Lucrezia Ginnasi, February-April, 1813
[3] Letter to Fr. Antonio Pascucci, January 1827, Letter 1555
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