Word to the Wise
Wednesday, February 20, 2013 - 1st Week of Lent - Wed
[Jonah 3:1-10 and Luke 11:29-32]The word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time: "Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and announce to it the message that I will tell you!"
Jonah has the distinction of being one of the very few prophets of the Old Testament to have a spectacular success in his preaching! We are told that as he began a three day journey through Nineveh, at the end of the first day the people began to repent! Of course, we also know that the line "a second time" means that Jonah was a very reluctant prophet who tried to escape the job and took some convincing in the form of being thrown overboard from a ship and being swallowed by a "whale!" I think that got his attention! He didn't change personality, however, and was disappointed when Nineveh actually listened to him. He was hoping God would destroy them completely!
Jesus speaks about Noah in today's gospel scripture, probably with irony! He is far greater than Noah but was having very little success with some of the villages in Galilee! They were like children at a magic show, constantly demanding a NEW sign to "prove" his power! Jesus tells them to look to Jonah as their sign!
Jesus and Jonah may both be asking us, "What does it take to get you to repent?" Indeed, what does it take to get you to share your faith? Jesus also points to the Queen of Sheba who traveled a great distance to hear Solomon! That pagan lady knew a good thing when she saw it! Are we taking our faith for granted and expect some dramatic sign to bring energy to it? Jonah and the Queen of Sheba are pointing to something "greater in our midst!" It's time to listen! AMEN