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Year B: 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time First Reading: Jonah 3: 1-5, 10 Reading this Reading as it stands gives the impression that Jonah got up and went to Nineveh “in obedience to the word of the Lord” without any question or doubt or argument.
We may wonder where the big fish comes into the story!
The clue lies in the fact that we are reading from chapter 3 of the Book of Jonah. In chapter 1, God tells Jonah to go to Nineveh and call them to conversion. Jonah takes what he thinks is a guaranteed way out - taking a ship to Tarshish. God refuses to take no for an answer - and when Jonah is thrown overboard, he is swallowed by a great fish who carries him for three days and three nights - and spews him out - on the dry land near Nineveh!
And this is where our reading begins today - God trying again with Jonah. This time, Jonah listens to the word of God and acts upon it. He goes to the people of Nineveh and proclaims the fact that, if they carry on their wicked ways, God will destroy their great city in 40 days time.
Unlike the fate of many of the prophets who said similar things to the people of Israel, Jonah is not ridiculed - or stoned - or sent away... the Ninevites take his words seriously - repent - and renounce their evil ways. In consequence, God shows mercy to them - and Nineveh is saved.
One link with the Gospel, then, is obedience to the word of God. It takes Jonah a couple of calls before he finally listens and acts. Fortunately, for us, God may also be patient with our reluctance (though, hopefully, will spare us the whale-treatment!)
Far better, though, is the prompt response of the Ninevites - and the first disciples... this should be our aspiration too.
What does it mean for me?
© 2006 Wellspring | Gospel | First Reading | Second Reading | |
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