Word to the Wise
Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - Twenty-seventh Wednesday in Ordinary Time
[Jonah 4:1-11 and Luke 11:1-4]But God said to Jonah, "Have you reason to be angry over the plant?" "I have reason to be angry," Jonah answered, "angry enough to die."
Jonah is one colorful character, and one who has much to teach us. First he tries to escape from God's call, only to bring diaster on the ship he got on to escape. Then he proves to be indigestible to a whale! Then he gives in to God's call and preaches reform to Nineveh. To his surprise, the Ninehvites respond! He then goes to sulk under a plant that proceeds to wither and die! He's so frustrated that he wants to die! It never seems to occur to him that his frustration is based on wanting the wrong things to begin with instead of wanting what God expects of him. When the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray, we learn about the kind of dependence on God that Jonah could have used. Jonah wants everything his way. The disciple seeks to do things the Lord's way. Jonah sulks when he doesn't get what he wants. The disciple should have no reason to sulk and will be happy with daily bread and forgiveness. Jonah wants to see Nineveh reduced to dust! The disciple wants others to come to know and serve God. We have to recognize that we may often resemble Jonah more than we would like. But God is persistent with Jonah and will be persistent with us. AMEN
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