The Sign of Jonas

I volunteered at the public library this morning, helping little kids make crafts as part of the summer reading program.  While I waited for them to arrive, I looked through the 100+ books the library is giving away.  The only book that I actually picked up to thumb through was a book title I couldn't read.  When I opened the cover, the title read, The Sign of Jonas by Thomas Merton.  This had to be el segneo de deo, especially since I again asked for a sign in my prayers and meditations last night.  The gods have been a little quiet on the signage front for the last several days so I thought I'd put in another request. 

I had no idea what the sign of Jonas was all about, and I had no clue that Jonas referred to Jonah....you know the one in the famous fish story.  Researching more about this sign led me to Matthew 12:39, "He (Jesus) answered, 'A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a miraculous sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.'"  Supposedly Jesus was getting pissed at the people for always asking for signs that he was the Son of God.  On this particular day the only thing He gave them was to say,"...the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth" (Matthew 12:40). No signs. No miracles. Just a prophecy.

There are three ways I  could interpret finding this book as a sign:

My first thought is that the Cosmos is telling me to stop being so demanding, expecting a daily sign just so I can blog about it.  My second thought dealt w/ the content of Merton's book, which is a journal covering his monastery years (1946-1952) prior to taking his priesthood vows.  Maybe the sign was for me to live a more monastic life.  My final thought was about Jonah himself.  He was running away from God's command to preach to the people of Nineveh, and as punishment was swallowed by a fish.  It wasn't until three days later when he repented that the fish puked him out.  I've been doing this last one, repenting, for the last eight years, which is why I'm asking for signs of what I'm supposed to do w/ my life.  The second one, becoming a monk, is impossible since I have two teenage daughters who are mostly dependent upon me.  Can women even become monks?  That leaves my first thought.  Always go w/ your first answer.  In this case, I'm a wicked, adulterous woman asking for a sign.  And even though I can't become a monk or a priest, I can be more appreciative of my summertime solace to find union w/ a higher power.  Conclusion:  I won't be grasping for daily signs so my blog entries will only come when the Spirit moves me!!