July 18, 2005

The Sign of Jonah Mt 12:38-42
Some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Jesus, "Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you." He said to them in reply, "An evil and unfaithful generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. Just as Jonah was in the belly of the whale three days and three nights, so will the Son of Man be in the heart of the earth three days and three nights. At the judgment, the men of Nineveh will arise with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and there is something greater than Jonah here. At the judgment the queen of the south will arise with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here."

I have heard that the early Christians marked the catacombs with drawings of whales, the sign of Jonah. The teaching of Jesus states that this will be our only sign. Today we have a funeral in our house and chapel this morning for one of our Sisters. Last night, at the wake, I was reflecting about what it all means. In the essence of being Christian is the belief that there is a life after death in heaven. To believe in the sign of Jonah, is to believe in life after death and the resurrection of Jesus.

Today the candles of our Sister who has died will be lit at the beginning of the funeral along with the Paschal candle. Her candles are the first profession candle, 25th jubilee of vows candle, 50th jublilee candle and another jubilee I believe 60th. Sister was 87 years old so when she died, we tolled the bell 87 times, then again last night when her body reentered the monastery from the funeral home we tolled 87 times, and today when her body leaves for the Saint Leo Cemetery that we share with the Abbey monks it will toll 87 times. In the monastery dining room, at the entrance, we have a candle and a rose. On entering the dining room for meals we bless the lit candle with a branch of rosemary for thirty days in memory of our recently departed Sister.

The last prayer, song or reading that I had with Sister the night before she died was to read chapter 72 then chapter 4 of the Rule of St Benedict to her. At the wake, last night, the Rule of St Benedict chapter 72 was one of the readings.

Chapter 72: On the Good Zeal Which They Ought to Have
Just as there is an evil zeal of bitterness which separates from God and leads to hell, so there is a good zeal which separates from vices and leads to God and to life everlasting. This zeal, therefore, the sisters should practice with the most fervent love. Thus they should anticipate one another in honor (Rom. 12:10);most patiently endure one another's infirmities, whether of body or of character; vie in paying obedience one to another -- no one following what she considers useful for herself, but rather what benefits another -- ; tender the charity of sisterhood chastely; fear God in love;love their Abbess with a sincere and humble charity;prefer nothing whatever to Christ. And may He bring us all together to life everlasting!

Prefer nothing whatever to Christ. And may He bring us all together to life everlasting.