The prophets continually exhorted the people of Israel to listen to God's words calling them to repentance, a change of heart and a break with sinful actions. In the ironic parable of the reluctant prophet, Jonah brings the same message of conversion to the cruel and warlike pagan nation of Assyria. Surprisingly, at the brief words of this foreign prophet, the whole city from the king down to the lowliest peasant is converted. They do penance and reform their lives.

The "sign of Jonah in Jesus' message is the same exhortation that God's people should listen to His words and reform their lives by following the ways of God's commandments. Jesus is the Messiah and God's Son, and is far more important than a mere prophet. If only the Jewish people had accepted the Lord's invitation!

As we begin Lent, the same message is intended for us: to pay close attention to the words of Scripture, to obey the Lord, repent and change. In this way we prepare ourselves to experience the Paschal Mystery. Through these forty days of liturgy, we reflect on the suffering and death of Christ for our sins, the climax of His earthly life. The least we can do, out of gratitude, is to express sorrow for our frequent failures and to strive for true Christian living.