The Church applies to Mary the promise made to Ahaz in Isaiah 7:10-14: “The Lord himself will give you this sign: the young woman [literally “virgin”] shall be with child and bear a son…” 

The basic meaning of the sign in biblical thought is the symbol which indicates the existence or the presence of that which it signifies; it directs the attention to the reality signified. (John McKenzie, Dictionary of the Bible, “Sign.”) 

The Church is the “symbol” of the “sacrament,” which indicates the existence and presence of Jesus on earth. And calls attention to him. (See Vatican II, “The Church,” no. 1;  Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 770-776, 1108.) 

Whenever he is asked for a sign, Jesus says emphatically that “no sign” will be given but the “sign of Jonah.” Except once. When asked to send “manna from heaven,” he promised the Eucharist. (See Matthew 12:39, 16:4; Mark 8:12; Luke 11:29; John 2:18-22, 6:22-59.) 

The risen body of Jesus was a sign to those who saw him, and is still a sign to those who see him present in the Eucharist. Since Jesus’ ascension into heaven, the “sign of Jonah” is the Church, the visible body of Jesus risen and active in his members. 

The Church, Eucharist, and Mary are the kind of sign that “indicates the presence of that which it signifies.” Mary said this to Elizabeth:  

Why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. (Luke 1:39-45.) 

And this is the sign we should be. 

Jesus is present in us. “The virgin shall bear a son, and shall name him Emmanuel,” —which means, “God with us.” As long as Jesus lives in his body on earth, he is “with us.” We are his embodied presence.  

 His presence is visible through our lifestyle. However we live, Jesus wants to reveal himself living with us, in us, and through us. Our way of living, acting, and speaking should be the sign that reveals the presence of Jesus in us.  

Whatever we do, Jesus wants to do it with us, in us, and through us. Wherever we go, he wants to go with us, be in us, and act through us. Everyone who encounters us should encounter Jesus along with us, present in us, speaking through us. As “soon as they hear the sound of our voice,” they should feel, whether conscious of its source or not, something within them “leap for joy.” Does this sound crazy? 

In Hebrews 10:4-10, Jesus says, “a body you have prepared for me.” We are that body. At every moment, the passionate thrust of our heart should be, “Here am I, Lord, I come to do your will.”  

Whatever God asks or allows to happen to us, we answer with Mary in Luke 1:26-38, “Let it be with me according to your word.” Then we are the sign of Jonah.” We are “Emmanuel.” (The classic book by Pierre De Caussade, S.J., Abandonment to Divine Providence, makes this the sum and substance of the whole spiritual life.) 

Today’s Psalm Response (Psalm 40): “Here am I, Lord, I come to do your will.” 

Prayer Prompt: Imagine the Hail Mary addressed to you. What adaptations are needed? 

— Fr. David M. Knight

View today’s Mass readings, Lectionary #545, on the USCCB website here

Fr. David M. Knight (1931-2021) was a priest of the Diocese of Memphis in Tennessee, a prolific writer, and a highly sought after confessor, spiritual director, and retreat master. He authored more than 40 books and hundreds of articles that focus primarily on lay spirituality and life-long spiritual growth.