Homily: Twenty-seventh Tuesday of Ordinary Time
Twenty-seventh Tuesday of Ordinary Time (Jonah 3:1-10)
I visited with a friend yesterday who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer about three years ago. My thoughts turn to him as I read about Jonah in the scriptures today. My boyhood friend has been through three years of chemotherapy and other treatments. At times his cancer has gone into remission only to erupt again later.
He is having an experience like Jonah in the belly of the whale. Jonah did not choose to be a prophet. He did not want to preach a message of repentance to a sinful city (Nineveh), yet God picked him out. When Jonah ran away God would not let him go.
Jonah went through the experience of being thrown into the sea and the fright of being swallowed by a big fish. We can only imagine the darkness in the whale’s belly, the stench that was there, the physical tortures of being squeezed and digested by the fish. How Jonah was changed by that experience. When he was spat out on the land after three days, he turned toward Nineveh to complete the mission God had laid out for him.
Jesus used this story as an image of his death and resurrection. Jesus was not at peace with the thought of the cross. Yet, he knew it was his destiny. He knew he would suffer and die. He spent three days in the darkness of the tomb. We are told he descended into hell. But he rose on the third day. He was transformed into a new creation.
My friend has been transformed by his suffering. He has shared a lot about his struggle on the internet with a wide variety of people and has inspired them with his honesty. What will be the end product of his experience? Certainly, there is already a greater appreciation for the spiritual life already.
Jonah’s story reminds us that we cannot run from the difficulties of life, but struggles can transform the way we look at things. The key is whether we “lean into the suffering” or only seek to numb by whatever means is possible.
Reflection Questions:
- What is my biggest struggle today? Am I trying to run from it?
- What have my personal struggles taught me in the past? Do I apply those lessons to my life today?
Dear Parishioners,
Today we will have the blessing of pets in front of Culemans Hall at 2:45 p.m. This is always a wonderful way to begin Respect Life Month. Popes, scientists and philosophers have always spoken of the interconnectedness of all life. The natural disasters we have seen have reminded us of the truth of these teachings. Whenever a living creature suffers, we all should take note.
St. Francis called the sun his brother and the moon his sister. Why did he do that? It was because he saw the connection of all life. He was the first ecologist. How are we taking care of creation? We can reflect on that question as we begin Respect Life Month.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark