The Sign of Jonah!

Wednesday, February 25, 2026

Jon 3:1-10; Lk 11: 29-32

Today’s Gospel highlights the meaning of the sign of Jonah. 

Responding to the crowd that sought a sign to believe in him, Jesus says that except for the sign of Jonah, no sign will be given to them. But what does Jesus mean by the sign of Jonah?

The sign of Jonah has at least three meanings. 

1. The sign of Jonah is a prophecy of Jesus’ own death and resurrection. Jesus will spend three days in the earth just as Jonah spent three days in the belly of the fish. Thus, the sign authenticates Jesus’ Divine identity to the crowd that refused to believe in him. 

2. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, the sign of Jonah points to our own resurrection and redemption. It portrays the inclusive and universal mission of Jesus as the ultimate sign of our salvation. As with Jonah, Jesus’ mission calls for repentance and faith. 

3. The sign of Jonah is proof that our God is a God of second chances. Just as Jonah’s preaching invoked repentance, Jesus offers God’s mercy to the humble and broken-hearted. Thus, the sign essentially means God’s unfailing love that awaits our faithful response. 

The sign of Jonah is our sign too. It is a reminder of God’s mercy and our repentance. 

Let us pray that we may respond with faith to the sign of Jonah in our lives. 

Fr. Dhinakaran Savariyar