As I reflected on today’s Gospel reading where Jesus says “no sign will be given other than the sign of Jonah” I was struck with the realization that really, Jesus is the sign.  Jonah proclaimed repentance, but there is something greater here – Jesus.  Jesus proclaims and shows us the way to salvation.  He preaches “Love one another, as I have love you.” (Jn 13:34).  He preached the Beatitudes in Matthew:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Jesus shows us that we must be willing to die to experience new life.  This can be seen literally in his death and resurrection, but also he calls us to die figuratively, to ourselves, to let go of the need for revenge or the hurt or the control or whatever it is that gets in the way of receiving the grace which God offers to us – new life, resurrection.  This can be experienced simply as we transition from one stage of life to another.  For instance, when our children leave home.  We grief the loss of them daily in our lives but then discover the God is inviting us to a new activity or ministry.  If we get stuck in the daily parenting role or the grief of it, we will miss the “new life” God is offering.

Let us reflect today on Who are we being called to love?  What are we being called to “die to” today?  What is in the way of us realizing that Jesus is the “something greater here”?  Take notice.