Perhaps today's gospel could be reduced to a few words: "LISTENING IS CRITICAL!" In the first reading the seemingly "wild" city of Nineveh was warned by Yahweh through the voice of Jonah that the city would be destroyed in forty days. From the King to the least subject there was an immediate turn to penance. They hoped their actions would bring about a reconciliation with Yahweh. They listen: the city was spared.
Society advanced. Jesus is born and eventually becomes the herald of the Father's message: "This is an evil generation" He had been preach the message of God. The prophets before him had preached what God wanted ... apparently to no lasting impact. Jesus preaches that those seeking to know the future have Jonah's message, listen to his words. But it had little impact. They failed to understand or accept what Jesus taught. They failed to realize that they were with one who is "greater than Jonah."
How much more we have moved forward since the time of Jesus. Who is the one who will put the Father's message before us? before our world today? Who do we listen for? Do we fail to realize that we have the "sign" many seek: "I am the way, the truth and the life." So to whom do you seriously and regularly lend your ear? Is it Jesus? Is it Jonah? Each of us has to ask ourselves seriously "Do I listen to Jesus?"
