24 February 2021
Wednesday of the First Week of Lent
“…and there is something greater than Jonah here.” (Luke 11:32)
Our first reading gives us round two of the Lord dealing with Jonah. The first time the prophet was sent by the Word of the Lord to Nineveh, he tried to run away and… was unsuccessful in his attempt. Now we hear of how Jonah, when the Word of the Lord comes to him a second time, cooperates and goes to the capital city of the Assyrian Empire which had conquered and scattered the inhabitants of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. To such a city, Jonah would not appear to be much of a sign. To Nineveh, Jonah is, literally, a washed up prophet, coming to them from a small, far away, conquered land. The sign of Jonah is far too small to lead anyone to expect anything from his presence. And yet, the capital city of this terrifying empire, in response to Jonah’s brief announcement of divine destruction that is forty days away, repents so thoroughly in sackcloth and ashes that divine destruction is not carried out.
What is the point for us? The Old Testament holds before us the book of Jonah as an illustration of the limitless nature of God’s mercy. For those who knew the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, no worse instantiation of brutal destruction could be imaginable than Nineveh. And yet, the descendents of those who saw Assyrian conquest are those who contemplated and passed on to us the image of the Lord forgiving even the Ninivites when they repented with truly contrite hearts. Who do I think of as my worst enemy? Can I imagine God’s grace moving this person to true contrition and repentance? Can I see the infinitely merciful God, who forgives repentant Nineveh, forgiving the one whom I saw as an enemy? If so, then my eyes are opening to see the mercy Christ has in store for me. If not, let me consider the sign greater than Jonah, the One begging forgiveness for the very persons who bring about His suffering and death. (Lk 23:34)