Please read the Scripture passage before the homily.
What is the sign of Jonah? Jonah was a prophet, sent to preach to the people of Nineveh. They were pagans. They were also the fiercest and the most hated of all the enemies of the Israelites. They were such that Jonah had to be compelled to go and preach to them. What did the Ninevites do then? They repented! Those hated and despicable people of Nineveh repented!
The Queen of the South, the fabulous Queen of Sheba, this pagan queen, came to Jerusalem to hear the wisdom of Solomon. Can you imagine some pagan woman doing such a thing!
The less than nobodies, like the wicked Ninevites and the idol-worshipping queen, listen to the word of God and change their lives! This is the sign for us who profess to listen to God’s word but do not. Why is it that pagans and enemies of our listen to the word of God and we do not?
Who are our enemies, the people of China? The ruler of Russia? That other political party? The Taliban and people like them? If they are like ancient people of Nineveh or the Queen of the South, then they will more readily listen to the word of God than we do. We have to be like them.
The word of God calls us to repentance; calls us to life, not death. What sign are we looking for?