Wednesday of the First Week of Lent
There is a form of biblical interpretation that is within the Bible itself: typology. In this, we look at an event or person from the Old Testament and find how Christ parallels, fulfills, or surpasses these mighty deeds and prophets.
In today’s gospel, Jesus does typology about Himself. He compares Himself to both the prophet Jonah and King Solomon. These are unflattering comparisons! In Jesus’ own day, years from these figures, the Judahites considered both heroes, in the way that we tend to remember the good things about the dead and not dwell on the bad. However, Jonah is a reluctant prophet, running from God’s will and pouting when the Lord does things differently than Jonah would. Solomon was wise, but later in life he would give in to his lust and the influence of foreign wives, and his vices led to the loss of the Northern Tribes and the severing of the kingdom. Why would Christ point to these rogues?
The Lord’s points are two. First, that even the esteem due to these flawed men for their great words will be surpassed in Him. Secondly, the pagan people of Nineveh did not need signs to repent but they put faith in Jonah’s preaching; the Queen of Sheba sought out Solomon’s wisdom, although she was not his subject nor Jewish. The wisdom Jesus brings is not for those who seek signs, but for those who repent.
Still, the Sign of Jonah will take place. It is a sign for those who believe in Jesus’ words, however. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the fish for three days and nights, so Christ will be in the belly of the tomb to emerge with a Resurrected Body on the third day. It is the Resurrection that vindicates all of Christ’s teaching. If we believe in it then we must also repent and turn from sins.
Reflection by Fr. Pachomius Meade, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections