Lent Day 8 (12 March)
Illustration of Jonah being swallowed by the fish from the Kennicott Bible, folio 305r (1476)
Wikipedia, Public domain
The gospel reading
Luke 11:29-32
When the crowds were increasing, he [Jesus] began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!
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Jonah and the Whale
Folio from a Jami al-Tavarikh (Compendium of Chronicles)
Public domain, Wikicommons
You can find a prayer-aid and gentle reflection with today's gospel here:
https://sacredspace.com/daily-prayer/2025-03-12/
Christian Art
You can find a Christian Art reflection on the gospel and a sculpture related to the Jonah story, with a short podcast, at this link, text below:
https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/luke-11-29-32-2025/
Reflection on the sculpture, Christian Art, by Fr Patrick van der Vorst
"Our sculpture is a 4th-century table base discovered in Tarsus, the birthplace of Saint Paul and a city of great significance in early Christianity. In the 1st century, Tarsus was a major Roman city in Cilicia, known for its thriving trade, Greek culture, and prestigious schools of learning. As the birthplace of Saint Paul, it held great significance for early Christianity, shaping Paul’s education, cultural background, and missionary approach to both Jewish and Gentile audiences. The carving depicts Jonah at the moment he is cast out of the boat, just as he is being swallowed by a giant fish. This piece is particularly valuable not only for its biblical subject matter but also because it provides a rare and detailed depiction of a Roman merchant ship, offering insight into maritime life in antiquity.
In today’s Gospel reading, the word ‘sign’ appears four times, emphasising its significance. To Jesus’ disciples and the early Christians, the meaning of the ‘sign of Jonah’ would have been clear. Just as Jonah remained in the belly of the great fish for three days and three nights before being delivered safely onto dry land, so too would Jesus remain in the tomb for three days before rising gloriously from the dead. However, while the people of Nineveh repented upon hearing Jonah’s preaching, not all would accept the message of Christ—a truth that remains relevant even today.
In early Christian art, Jonah’s story frequently appears because, in a time when the Hebrew Scriptures were not widely known among the Romans, it served as a covert symbol of the Christian faith. Unlike direct images of Jesus, which could have drawn unwanted attention from Roman authorities, depictions of Jonah’s journey carried a message that only believers would understand, the connection between Jonah’s three days in the fish and Christ’s Resurrection.
Like Jonah, we are called to let God work through us. Though Jonah initially resisted his mission, he ultimately embraced his calling and grew in faith. May we, too, receive the grace to overcome our hesitations, trusting that God’s plans for us are always greater than our fears."
Midweek Holy Communion
Please remember that there will be a short service of Holy Communion on Wednesday at 10.30am in St Mary's Church, Westport, followed by tea/coffee in the Clew Bay Hotel. All are invited and welcome.
St Mary's continues to accommodate the Holy Trinity congregation until the church is reopened after essential repairs and we are most grateful.
Please remember also that during Lent there is an online gathering for Lenten Prayer and Reflection on Wednesday evenings at 8pm. You can join the meeting using this link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82781900766?pwd=b2YEVeJHqhnprNxoLHjd5sqg492wbn.1
Meeting ID: 827 8190 0766 Passcode: 747477
