28th Week in Ordinary Time (B) : Monday 14th October 2024

“The new is in the old concealed; the old is in the new revealed.” This expresses why the authors of the New Testament loved to speak in allegories and highlight parables of the past. Paul used the story of Hagar and Sarah in his argument with his fellow Jews – to highlight the value of freedom. Though today we would not agree with his rather uncharitable conclusions, it confirms our thinking that the Jewish people were neither enslaved nor rejected. But this point stands out – our home is the heavenly Jerusalem, and we experience freedom in Christ. Let us value that freedom, and not go back to confining forms of spirituality, and worship as many seek to do today. Our freedom is precious and must be safeguarded.

Just as before and today, everyone was demanding a sign from Jesus to prove his identity and teachings. He refused – the only sign that would be given was that of Jonah. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the huge fish for three days, so Jesus would be in the tomb for a similar period. The story of Jonah was widely used in the early church to highlight the resurrection. Our hope lies in experiencing being raised in Christ, a freedom that shatters the chains of isolation. This is our hope and by clinging to the promise of the Lord – we will one day be with him, truly alive.

Lord, renew my life in your Spirit and let it be a sign of your presence.