Today’s first reading is from the Book of Jonah. We only hear a slice of it at Mass, but the whole story is fascinating. If you haven’t read it before – not just a children’s version, but the real Scripture story – do yourself a favor, and do so. This short, non-literal story will only take about ten minutes, but its message is as important as most literal Biblical accounts.
We don’t have to read far to start recognizing ourselves in Jonah. God calls him for service in Nineveh, and Jonah refuses. He covers his ears and repeats, “I can’t hear you! I can’t hear you!” That is figurative too; what he does, is buy a one-way ticket aboard a ship to the end of the earth, the opposite direction of Nineveh. Jonah prefers to leave his homeland, and his people, and spend money on a ticket, with no idea what life will be like exiled in a strange land, to avoid doing God’s will.
His life converges with an innocent crew of seamen, pagans, but men of goodwill, going about their own business. Jonah boards their ship, buries himself in the pit of the vessel with the hopes that God won’t see him; then, falls asleep intending to clear his mind of the whole affair. The storm comes; sailors awaken Jonah; Jonah admits he has been defying God and offers to be thrown overboard. Still, rather than repent and offer to be obedient to God, Jonah prefers to be thrown into the tempestuous ocean to drown. The sailors accept the idea with great sorrow, but afterward, when the ocean calms, they praise the God of Jonah and become unintended coverts.
Our infinitely patient and determined God directs Jonah into three days of silent reflection, with only God as his companion. Jonah had to travel to the bowels of the earth and his own spiritual pit to experience conversion. Once complete, Jonah is delivered to the shore of Nineveh and this Sunday’s reading begins.
Jonah could be considered history’s most successful prophet by converting and saving the lives of a great city of 120,000 people, but when his mission was complete after only one day, Jonah was resentful that God chose to accept their repentance. He didn’t want the city to be spared. We go to great extents at times to avoid listening to God and doing his will. We may think we have it hard, and others are getting away scot-free. Jonah reveals that by following God’s will we save our own lives and many other intended and unintended souls too.
Scripture: Read the full Book of Jonah. What stands out?
Call to Action: Watch for your Nineveh moments and choose God rather than exile.
