Whether the book of Jonah is fictitious or historical does not matter for it is inspired scripture. Lest we forget that Jesus references the book in today’s Gospel. Let us then reflect on how we might be the people of Nineveh in today’s context or how we might be Jonah?
Have we listened to the call of the Lord our God who yearns for us to repent and turn back to Him? Either through His prophet, priest, laity, family or friend? Have we refused to listen because we feel we know best when, where or how. Or have we started this Lenten journey as One Body in Christ; knowing that by this powerful act of unity in desiring to draw close to Him, there is a ripple effect of conversion in the world!
Are we anything like Jonah? Who was inward looking, refusing to heed the call of our loving Lord to go on a mission? Are we fearful with self-doubt? Do we doubt that we will be given power from on high to complete the mission? That our words will echo His words and in His Word there is power! Power to transform and change.
Lord Jesus let me be Your sign of love in the world in all that I say and do. Amen
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First reading
Jonah 3:1-10 ·
The Ninevites repent, and God spares them
The word of the Lord was addressed to Jonah: ‘Up!’ he said ‘Go to Nineveh, the great city, and preach to them as I told you to.’ Jonah set out and went to Nineveh in obedience to the word of the Lord. Now Nineveh was a city great beyond compare: it took three days to cross it. Jonah went on into the city, making a day’s journey. He preached in these words, ‘Only forty days more and Nineveh is going to be destroyed.’ And the people of Nineveh believed in God; they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest to the least. The news reached the king of Nineveh, who rose from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth and sat down in ashes. A proclamation was then promulgated throughout Nineveh, by decree of the king and his ministers, as follows: ‘Men and beasts, herds and flocks, are to taste nothing; they must not eat, they must not drink water. All are to put on sackcloth and call on God with all their might; and let everyone renounce his evil behaviour and the wicked things he has done. Who knows if God will not change his mind and relent, if he will not renounce his burning wrath, so that we do not perish?’ God saw their efforts to renounce their evil behaviour, and God relented: he did not inflict on them the disaster which he had threatened.
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Gospel
Luke 11:29-32
As Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be a sign
The crowds got even bigger, and Jesus addressed them:
‘This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here. On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here.’
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