Gospel in Art: For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation

Jonah and the Whale, 1400 From Jami al-Tavarikh © The Metropolitan Museum, New York

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 16 October 2023
Luke 11:29-32

The crowds got even bigger, and Jesus addressed them:

'This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.

On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here. On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here.'

Reflection on the watercolour on paper

The story of Jonah and the Whale is also mentioned in the Qur'an (37:139). It was a popular story in the Muslim world, just as it was in early Christianity, and frequently illustrated in manuscripts. This large-scale painting from Iran, however, never formed part of a manuscript. Rather, it may have been used during oral recitation or storytelling. Scholars have also suggested that with its strong palette, monumental figures, and spare composition, this work may have been a sketch for a now-lost wall painting. Here, we see Jonah after his release from the belly of the fish. Above him, a flowering vine grows, sent by God to protect him from the elements. Gliding across the top of the painting is an angel with colourful, spread wings offering Jonah a garment.

Many of Jesus' contemporaries were slow to respond to his presence and message; they were insisting on some dramatic sign. We often might pray too, asking to receive a 'sign from God' when we have difficult decisions to make. In today's Gospel reading, Jesus reminds them that people from outside of Israel, pagans, responded to God's messengers in the past, better than the people of Israel. The Ninevites responded to the preaching of the prophet Jonah, and the Queen of Sheba responded to the wisdom of Solomon. These pagans were more receptive to God's presence in Israel than Jesus' own contemporaries were.

Jesus is saying that any signs we seek are to be found there already in the ordinary goings on of life. We have to pray to have eyes to see. We pray today for eyes to see the many signs of the Lord's presence in our day-to-day lives.