PASSION Sunday: The Sign of Jonah
I am the resurrection. Anyone who believes in me, even though that person dies, will live, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. – John 11:25-26
The central message of the gospel is that new life comes through suffering and death. Jesus refuses to give sensational signs; instead, he offers the “sign of Jonah”—his own suffering, death, burial, and resurrection. This is the true sign for those willing to follow him.
Jesus shows that avoiding suffering is a human instinct, but facing reality with trust in God leads to transformation. He does not glorify suffering, but he reveals that real joy and peace come through it, not around it.
Like Jonah, we are called to stop running from reality and face life’s pain with the confidence that God’s love is stronger than death. This is the heart of Lent: confronting the truth of our existence with faith in God’s renewing power.
Our Prayer:
You have the words of eternal life, you are food and drink, you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. You are the light that shines in the darkness, the lamp on the lampstand, the house on the hilltop. You are the perfect Icon of God. In and through you I can see the Heavenly Father, and with you I can find my way to him.
Be my Lord, my Savior, my Redeemer, my Guide, my Consoler, my Comforter, my Hope, my Joy, and my Peace. To you I want to give all that I am. Let me give you all – I have, think, do, and feel. It is yours, O Lord. Please accept it and make it fully your own. Amen.
