Signs for Transformation

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to be aware of the “signs” present in our society that call us to present Jesus' Way to love and transformation in our environment.

Hope and Transformation

The Reading from the Book of Jonah proclaims Jonah’s Obedience and the Ninevites’ Repentance.

* [3:5] Great and small: the contrast can refer to distinctions of social class (prominent citizens and the poor).

* [3:7–8] Fasting and wearing sackcloth are signs of human repentance; here they are legislated even for the animals—a humorous touch, perhaps anticipating 4:11.

* [3:9–10] Scripture frequently presents the Lord as repenting (or, changing his mind) of the evil that he threatens; e.g., Gn 6:6–7; Jer 18:8. (Jonah, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 51 asks deliverance from sin, not just a past act but its emotional, physical, and social consequences.

* [Psalm 51] A lament, the most famous of the seven Penitential Psalms, prays for the removal of the personal and social disorders that sin has brought. The poem has two parts of approximately equal length: Ps 51:3–10 and Ps 51:11–19, and a conclusion in Ps 51:20–21. The two parts interlock by repetition of “blot out” in the first verse of each section (Ps 51:3, 11), of “wash (away)” just after the first verse of each section (Ps 51:4) and just before the last verse (Ps 51:9) of the first section, and of “heart,” “God,” and “spirit” in Ps 51:12, 19. The first part (Ps 51:3–10) asks deliverance from sin, not just a past act but its emotional, physical, and social consequences. The second part (Ps 51:11–19) seeks something more profound than wiping the slate clean: nearness to God, living by the spirit of God (Ps 51:12–13), like the relation between God and people described in Jer 31:33–34. Nearness to God brings joy and the authority to teach sinners (Ps 51:15–16). Such proclamation is better than offering sacrifice (Ps 51:17–19). The last two verses express the hope that God’s good will toward those who are cleansed and contrite will prompt him to look favorably on the acts of worship offered in the Jerusalem Temple (Ps 51:19 [20–21]). (Psalms, PSALM 51 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus addresses The Demand for a Sign.

* [11:29–32] The “sign of Jonah” in Luke is the preaching of the need for repentance by a prophet who comes from afar. Cf. Mt 12:38–42 (and see notes there) where the “sign of Jonah” is interpreted by Jesus as his death and resurrection. (Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB, n.d.)

Rev. Rashmi Fernando, SJ, comments that the invitation of Jesus, therefore, is to stop searching for extraordinary proofs and instead recognize God’s presence in the ordinary, demanding moments of daily life: in conscience, in Scripture, in the quiet invitations to repent and return. 

 

Lent, then, is not about waiting for a sign but about becoming one. Like Jonah, our lives are meant to point beyond ourselves. Like Nineveh, our communities are called to collective conversion. And like the psalmist, we are invited to trust that God never rejects a heart that turns toward Him—however late, however imperfectly.

Questions for Reflection:

1. Where might God be calling me “a second time” this Lent, and how am I responding?

2. What concrete action—not just intention—can express my repentance and desire for change?

3. Am I seeking signs from God, or am I willing to recognize His presence in what is already given? (Fernando, 2026)

Don Schwager quotes “Don't put off conversion - tomorrow may never come,” by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"God is not now so long-suffering in putting up with you that He will fail to be just in punishing. Do not say then: 'Tomorrow I shall be converted, tomorrow I shall please God, and all that I shall have done today and yesterday will be forgiven me.' What you say is true: God has promised forgiveness if you turn back to Him. But what He has not promised is that you will have tomorrow in which to achieve your conversion." (excerpt from Commentary on Psalm 144,11) (Schwager, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler notes that Jonah did not want to go to Nineveh the capital of Assyria but he wanted to see retribution against the enemies of Israel. Jonah walks for three days through the great city and the people turn away from their sin on the first day. God’s response to sin is to hurt for the damage it does to us. In the Gospel of Luke, people ask Jesus for a sign. Friar Jude notes two versions of the sign of Jonah: who was buried in the belly of the whale for three days and the preaching of conversion to Nineveh as Jesus is Wisdom Incarnate as sought in the Hebrew Testament.

The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 11:29-32 comments Jesus is looking for people who recognize that “something greater than Jonah” is in their midst (11:32). It’s important to see that Jesus’ reaction to such an attitude is not one of condescension or condemnation; it comes from a heart yearning to see his people turn to his Father.

Ask the Holy Spirit to stir your heart today. Make time for quiet listening so that you can hear his voice in a noisy world. Jesus is greater than Jonah. He is greater than Solomon. He is greater than any celebrity or politician or internet influencer. And yet, as great as he is, he wants to spend time with you.

“Jesus, open my ears and my heart to receive your words!” (Meditation on Luke 11:29-32, n.d.)

Brian McLaren describes some of the modern addictions that keep us from choosing the difficult path to freedom. Author Cole Arthur Riley reminds us of the slow work of liberation.

Could you wander for forty years if it meant freedom? If you listen, you can still hear them groaning—they who were rescued, only to find that freedom is never so easily won. That liberation is a path marked by uncertainty and thirst and grief over all that was lost in the revolution. In Exodus, we are faced with a God of slow rescue…. Perhaps God knew that part of liberation is confronting anything you might hunger for more than it. [1] (McLaren, n.d.)

McLaren continues:

The wilderness journey is always difficult and seems to last forever…. But the truth is, if we arrive before we’ve learned the lessons of the wilderness, we won’t be able to enjoy the freedom that awaits us in the promised land beyond it. There is wisdom we will need there that we can gain only right here. There is strength and skill we will need in the future that we can develop only here and now, on the wilderness road. There is moral muscle we will need then that we can exercise and strengthen only through our struggles on this road, here and now….

We will often be tempted to return to our old lives, but in that tension between a backward pull and a forward call, we will discover unexplainable sustenance (like manna) and unexpected refreshment (like springs in the desert). Against all odds, walking by faith, we will survive, and more: we will learn what it means to be alive. (McLaren, n.d.)

We seek the inspiration of the Spirit to be the sign of the freedom and fullness of life that Jesus offers to all people.

References

Fernando, R. (2026, February 25). Daily Reflection February 25, 2026 | Creighton Online Ministries. Creighton Online Ministries. Retrieved February 25, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-february-25-2026 

Jonah, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 25, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/jonah/3?1 

Luke, CHAPTER 11 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 25, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11?29 

McLaren, B. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved February 25, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-wilderness-journey/ 

Meditation on Luke 11:29-32. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved February 25, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/02/25/1508528/ 

Psalms, PSALM 51 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved February 25, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/51?3 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). The Sign of Jonah for an Evil Generation. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved February 25, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Awe and Action

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to respond to the declaration of Nathan to David “Its You” as we contemplate our responsibility in the turbulent seas of our daily voyage.

Action to Calm the Storm

The Reading from the Second Book of  Samuel presents Nathan’s Parable and David’s Repentance

* [12:1–7] David has committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged the death of her husband. Instead of directly indicting the king for this criminal abuse of his royal authority, the prophet Nathan tells David a story. In the story, a parable of David’s own actions, a powerful man takes cruel advantage of his vulnerable neighbor. Hearing the story, David is outraged and denounces the rich man—thus unwittingly pronouncing judgment on himself (“You are the man,” v. 7).

* [12:6] Fourfold restitution: David’s judgment foreshadows the deaths of four of his own sons: the child born of his adulterous union with Bathsheba (v. 18); Amnon (13:28–29); Absalom (18:15; 19:1); and Adonijah (1 Kgs 2:24–25).

* [12:11] In broad daylight: lit., “before the eyes of the sun”; the phrase echoes “before your very eyes” and anticipates “in the presence of the sun itself” (v. 12). The reference is to Absalom’s action in appropriating his father’s harem (16:22). (2 Samuel, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 51 prays for the removal of the personal and social disorders that sin has brought.

* [Psalm 51] A lament, the most famous of the seven Penitential Psalms, prays for the removal of the personal and social disorders that sin has brought. The poem has two parts of approximately equal length: Ps 51:3–10 and Ps 51:11–19, and a conclusion in Ps 51:20–21. The two parts interlock by repetition of “blot out” in the first verse of each section (Ps 51:3, 11), of “wash (away)” just after the first verse of each section (Ps 51:4) and just before the last verse (Ps 51:9) of the first section, and of “heart,” “God,” and “spirit” in Ps 51:12, 19. The first part (Ps 51:3–10) asks deliverance from sin, not just a past act but its emotional, physical, and social consequences. The second part (Ps 51:11–19) seeks something more profound than wiping the slate clean: nearness to God, living by the spirit of God (Ps 51:12–13), like the relation between God and people described in Jer 31:33–34. Nearness to God brings joy and the authority to teach sinners (Ps 51:15–16). Such proclamation is better than offering sacrifice (Ps 51:17–19). The last two verses express the hope that God’s good will toward those who are cleansed and contrite will prompt him to look favorably on the acts of worship offered in the Jerusalem Temple (Ps 51:19 [20–21]). (Psalms, PSALM 51 | USCCB, n.d.)

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus calms a Storm at Sea.

* [4:35–5:43] After the chapter on parables, Mark narrates four miracle stories: Mk 4:35–41; 5:1–20; and two joined together in Mk 5:21–43. See also notes on Mt 8:23–34 and 9:8–26.

* [4:39] Quiet! Be still!: as in the case of silencing a demon (Mk 1:25), Jesus rebukes the wind and subdues the turbulence of the sea by a mere word; see note on Mt 8:26.

* [4:41] Jesus is here depicted as exercising power over wind and sea. In the Christian community this event was seen as a sign of Jesus’ saving presence amid persecutions that threatened its existence. (Mark, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

Steve Scholer comments that God wants us to follow with a heart open to his calling, an obedience demonstrated in how we live our lives in service to others, not just by attending Mass or reading daily devotions. How we conduct our daily affairs shows that we honor his authority and his commandments, and that we place our complete trust in God.

Obedience that is not simply adhering to rules but a conscience and willing submission of one’s will to God’s authority is what we should strive for. This type of obedience, based on love, is far better than one based on ritual. And if we choose to follow this path with a willing heart, we will have a closer and more personal relationship with God.

Obedience to God’s message for us must be truly from the heart and done with the intention to serve God, not out of fear, duty, or anticipated reward. For how we live our lives and immerse ourselves in helping those around is how best to be obedient to God’s will. (Scholer, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “Awakening the Christ asleep within you,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"When you have to listen to abuse, that means you are being buffeted by the wind. When your anger is roused, you are being tossed by the waves. So when the winds blow and the waves mount high, the boat is in danger, your heart is imperiled, your heart is taking a battering. On hearing yourself insulted, you long to retaliate; but the joy of revenge brings with it another kind of misfortune - shipwreck. Why is this? Because Christ is asleep in you. What do I mean? I mean you have forgotten his presence. Rouse him, then; remember him, let him keep watch within you, pay heed to him... A temptation arises: it is the wind. It disturbs you: it is the surging of the sea. This is the moment to awaken Christ and let him remind you of those words: 'Who can this be? Even the winds and the sea obey him." (excerpt from Sermons 63:1-3) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Mark 4:35-41 comments on “godly fear”. It’s a new recognition of God’s holiness, majesty, and power. This fear causes a new prayer to arise in our hearts. It’s a prayer of reverence that acknowledges God’s power and his sovereignty over all creation—and over our lives. This holy fear humbles us and moves us to surrender our concerns to him—and to trust in his wisdom. It tells us that this God, who loves us unconditionally, is utterly able to care for us and our loved ones, even if we don’t understand how he will do it.

Yes, Jesus is so powerful that the mighty winds and the churning seas of life obey him. But never forget that this holy, all-powerful God is your God and your Savior. He is in the boat with you. He is on your side. He will not let you sink. So cry out to him when you are afraid. But cry out in holy fear, trusting in him and surrendering to his care!

“Jesus, I trust in you and in your awesome power and authority over all creation!” (Meditation on Mark 4:35-41, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments in 2 Samuel Nathan advises David about the man with a little ewe lamb killed by the rich family “Who are the Man” “It’s you” God will send punishment in secret will be done in public The child of Bathsheba dies. David turns from sin and seeks mercy from the Lord. In Mark, we encounter the first of the series of nature, exorcisms, and healing miracles. First, He calms the sea, a reservoir of evil. In Calming the sea it shows Jesus' power over the demonic force in the sea, as spiritual forces. The disciples are filled with awe and wonder as Jesus does an exorcism and two healings. Friar Jude notes that, after all this, the people say “who does he think He is .“ In Nazareth they know Him too well.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Biblical scholars Christopher Hoklotubbe and Daniel Zacharias who describe an Indigenous way of reading the Bible as a circle or dance that makes room for all that is encouraging and difficult. As Oglala Lakota elder Black Elk wrote, “You will notice that everything the Indian does is in a circle … the power from the sacred hoop.”

The words of Scripture have become the wisdom of our adoptive elders and ancestors. The desire for the Scriptures to dominate as the sole authority, denigrating and replacing Indigenous cultural traditions, is a colonizing form of Christianity that Indigenous people the world over have encountered.

Indigenous followers of Christ do not enter into this relationship blissfully ignorant and unwilling to reckon with the sometimes harsh realities of the biblical text.… Indigenous encounters with the biblical text have not shied away from wrestling with and critiquing the biblical text. Jacob/Israel encountered God at Bethel and wrestled through the night with him (Genesis 32:22–31). He left the encounter with a blessing but also with a limp. The Scriptures today are like a modern-day Bethel for the family of faith—a place in which we encounter God and can leave the encounter blessed or bruised, sometimes both simultaneously. But in the midst of these encounters, we maintain our hope in the power of the “God-breathed” or “inspired” Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16) to give life to those who hold them as sacred. (Rohr, 2026)

Catholic theologian David Deane talks with Jeff Douglas, on CBC Mainstreet, about why so many American Christians support US President Donald Trump in spite of his sins. Deane cites the Biblical King David as a source of the American belief that good can come from evil actions by our leaders.

We are invited by the Spirit to meditate on the “storms” of fear, anxiety, despair, and isolation where we have experienced calming of the sea through awakening our relationship with Jesus.

References

Mark, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 31, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/4?35 

Meditation on Mark 4:35-41. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 31, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/31/1491045/ 

Psalms, PSALM 51 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 31, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/51?12 

Rohr, R. (2026, January 29). More than One Meaning — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 31, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/more-than-one-meaning/ 

Scholer, S. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved January 31, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-31-2026 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Why Are You Afraid? Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 31, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

2 Samuel, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 31, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/12?1