“The Sign of Jonah”

Dear Diary,

The morning was cool and bright, and the fields were shining with dew when Sister Mary Claire and I walked down the gravel road to St. Mary’s for Holy Mass. Mini trotted happily beside us, her little feet pattering on the stones. The church bell was ringing softly as we came near, and the autumn air smelled like wood smoke and dry corn husks.

Father LeRoy read the Gospel where Jesus said that no sign would be given to the people except the sign of Jonah. Father explained that the people wanted proof before they would believe, but Jesus wanted them to understand that He Himselfwas the sign. Just as Jonah called the people of Nineveh to turn their hearts to God, Jesus calls us to do the same. Father said we don’t need miracles to know God is near—love and faith are His greatest signs.

This afternoon, I went to the cave with Mini. The air inside was cool and still, and the sound of the little stream echoed softly against the walls. I knelt before Our Lady’s statue and prayed the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary. I thought about the angel’s visit to Mary, and how she said yes without needing any sign at all. When I finished, I said the Litany of Our Lady, and the cave felt so peaceful that even Mini lay very still beside me.

Love, Kathy