The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to open our eyes to see the marvelous gifts God provides to people for the love and care of others.
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| Marvelous gifts |
In the reading from the Book of Jonah the conversion of Nineveh is the fruit of Jonah’s obedience and the Ninevites’ Repentance.
* [3:7–8] Fasting and wearing sackcloth are signs of human repentance; here they are legislated even for the animals—a humorous touch, perhaps anticipating 4:11.1
Psalm 51 declares nearness to God brings joy and the authority to teach sinners. Such proclamation is better than offering sacrifice.
* [Psalm 51] A lament, the most famous of the seven Penitential Psalms, prays for the removal of the personal and social disorders that sin has brought. The poem has two parts of approximately equal length: Ps 51:3–10 and Ps 51:11–19, and a conclusion in Ps 51:20–21. The two parts interlock by repetition of “blot out” in the first verse of each section (Ps 51:3, 11), of “wash (away)” just after the first verse of each section (Ps 51:4) and just before the last verse (Ps 51:9) of the first section, and of “heart,” “God,” and “spirit” in Ps 51:12, 19. The first part (Ps 51:3–10) asks deliverance from sin, not just a past act but its emotional, physical, and social consequences. The second part (Ps 51:11–19) seeks something more profound than wiping the slate clean: nearness to God, living by the spirit of God (Ps 51:12–13), like the relation between God and people described in Jer 31:33–34. Nearness to God brings joy and the authority to teach sinners (Ps 51:15–16). Such proclamation is better than offering sacrifice (Ps 51:17–19). The last two verses express the hope that God’s good will toward those who are cleansed and contrite will prompt him to look favorably on the acts of worship offered in the Jerusalem Temple (Ps 51:19 [20–21]).2
The Sign of Jonah is cited by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke when the people demand a sign.
* [11:29–32] The “sign of Jonah” in Luke is the preaching of the need for repentance by a prophet who comes from afar. Cf. Mt 12:38–42 (and see notes there) where the “sign of Jonah” is interpreted by Jesus as his death and resurrection.3
Nicky Santos, S.J. comments that if we read the verses before today’s reading, we will see that the people are accusing Jesus of performing his miracles and healings through the power of Beelzebul, the prince of devils. Their interior disposition was one of distrust and disbelief. It is this disposition that Jesus is criticizing, saying that the only sign that would be given them would be the sign of Jonah, referring to his own death and resurrection.
As I reflected on the reading, the word that came to mind was “receptivity.” As believers of Jesus, we already acknowledge the sign of God’s love for us through the birth, death and resurrection of Jesus. But how receptive are we to the manifestation of that love in our daily lives? What is our interior disposition even in the midst of turmoil and strife? Are we able to recognize God working through us, and through others, performing little miracles in our own world?4
Don Schwager quotes “Don't put off conversion - tomorrow may never come,” by Augustine, Bishop of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.
"God is not now so long-suffering in putting up with you that He will fail to be just in punishing. Do not say then: 'Tomorrow I shall be converted, tomorrow I shall please God, and all that I shall have done today and yesterday will be forgiven me.' What you say is true: God has promised forgiveness if you turn back to Him. But what He has not promised is that you will have tomorrow in which to achieve your conversion." (excerpt from Commentary on Psalm 144,11)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on Jonah 3:1-10 notices how quickly the people of Nineveh responded to Jonah’s message. Obviously, they were serious about fulfilling their goal of repentance. But what do you suppose motivated them? It’s apparent that the Ninevites were in this together. All of them fasted and all of them did penance. This is surely what helped them keep their resolve.
You are not alone; you are part of the body of Christ. There is so much more incentive to stay the course when you have other people running the race with you.
“Lord, give me the humility to reach out to my brothers and sisters for help and encouragement!”6
Friar Jude Winkler comments that this was the second time Jonah had been called to go to Nineveh. The last city he wanted to help was the pagan capital of enemy nation Assyria. Jesus is speaking of one of the two versions of the sign of Jonah. Friar Jude reminds us that Jesus, as Wisdom Incarnate, calls us to open our eyes to the revelation all around us.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, discusses people setting examples for us by employing their many gifts to meet the needs of others, caring for others’ health, nourishment, education, and welfare. They impart a measure of acceptance and appreciation that can help people believe in their own value. These appear as Enneagram Twos. They can share generously and will even give their “last shirt” to others. They stand by friends and family when they have to endure suffering, pain, or conflict.
Like all of us, Twos want to be liked, but they also have an exaggerated desire for external validation. Twos happily spoil and look after other people, even when unasked, but if their “care” becomes burdensome or confining and others distance themselves instead of returning this “love,” the Two feels betrayed and exploited.
The constant and great temptation of Twos is to help others, and in this way they evade themselves and their own needs. When immature Twos are hurt, they can suddenly stop being sweet and pliant and lash out. At such moments they are capable of doing frightful injury to the very person they supposedly love above all. This is the shadow side of the Two’s love that may not be recognized at first glance.
Twos are healed and redeemed the more they experience God as the Real Lover and realize that true, selfless love only comes by sharing in God’s love. This insight leads through a moment of deep shame to genuine humility.7
We are invited to seek the inspiration of the Spirit as we act and see truth, beauty and goodness revealed in our relationships with others.
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