Wednesday the First Week of Lent (Luke 11:29-32) “Sign of Conversion”
Wednesday the First Week of Lent (Luke 11:29-32) “Sign of Conversion”
Jonah had no reason to think that the residents of Nineveh would listen to him. Nineveh was the capital of Assyria. The Assyrians were a militaristic society. At one time, the country was a power in the Middle East that conquered most of the nations of that region. One of the countries they oppressed was Israel which was the northern part of what we now recognize as Israel. The Assyrians tried to destroy Israel’s identity. Many of the people were killed or taken into exile as slaves by the Assyrians. We would probably refer to what they did as genocide today.
As we reflect on all this, we would have to say that the Assyrians or Ninevites were not very nice people. Nor were they believers in the one true God. Yet, when Jonah went to the Ninevites to preach to them they repented for their sins in sack cloth and ashes.
Jesus was fascinated by the story of Jonah. He referred to it often in his preaching. We hear him point to the Ninevites as a symbol of repentance. Jesus looks at the people around him and says that they are an evil generation. The people he is ministering to want sign after sign before they will change.
The Ninevites did not need a sign. Jonah went through their city and preached half heartedly asking them to change and they did it readily and with great sincerity from the king to the lowest peasant. Yet, the people Jesus was preaching to and healing hardened their hearts.
Jonah may or may not have been an historical figure, but the message is still relevant. We religious people are often blind to our sinfulness. No one is free from sin. Lent is a time to confront our sinfulness with courage. Just as God forgave the wicked Ninevites God will extend his mercy to us. We can depend on it.
Reflection Questions:
- What behaviors do I engage in that are less than virtuous? Is it easier for me to see the faults of others or my own faults?
- Jesus calls out the religious people he is preaching to. What would he say to me?
Dear Parishioners,
Remember that we will be having Stations of the Cross at 5:30 p.m. today. We will be reflecting on what are entitled The Stations of Hope this year. The stations offer reflections in light of the COVID 19 pandemic. Yesterday we passed 500,00 deaths in the United States from the coronavirus. We certainly need some hope today. The stations will be livestreamed if you cannot be here in person.
Tomorrow we will be having a day of reflection starting at 9:30 a.m. sponsored by the Altar and Rosary Society. I will be reflecting on St. Joseph and what he might have to teach us in the present moment. This event will be livestreamed. Feel free to join us.
May Our Lady and All the Angels and Saints watch over you.
Fr. Mark