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.
Nosotros don’t have a read far a start recognizing ourselves in Jonah. God calls him for servicio in Nineveh, y Jonah refuses. He covers his ears y 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 a el end de el earth, el opposite direction de Nineveh. Jonah prefers a leave his homeland, y his people, y spend money on a ticket, con no idea what life will ser 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 y determined God directs Jonah into three days de silent reflection, con only God como his companion. Jonah had a viaje a el bowels de el Tierra y his own spiritual pit a experience conversion. Once complete, Jonah is delivered a el shore de Nineveh y 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.
Escritura: Read el full Book de Jonah. What stands out?
Call a Action: Ver for your Nineveh moments y choose God rather than exile.
