4 October 2021

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah son of Amittai, saying, ‘Go at once to Nineveh, that great city, and cry out against it; for their wickedness has come up before me.’ But Jonah set out to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord.
From Jonah 1:1-2:1,11, NRSV

Today we hear the beginning of the familiar story of Jonah who is sometimes referred to as the “reluctant prophet”. Unlike the other prophets of his day, Jonah was called by God to speak to heathens rather than to his own nation. Specifically, God had called Jonah to go and call the people of Nineveh to repentance. This was a large and important city of its time and God wanted to save its many inhabitants from the result of their sinfulness. Jonah’s reaction was to board a ship going in the opposite direction – perhaps as a proud Jew he felt his ministry should be to his own people or perhaps he was frightened of what might happen to him in Nineveh. However, Jonah was not able to escape from God’s will. God ensured that Jonah survived near death from the result of a storm and from being thrown overboard. Jonah was to learn the hard way that God’s grace and mercy were not just for the people of Israel but for all people.

• • Why do you suppose God chose Jonah for this mission to the people of Israel?
  • Have you ever felt called by God to a task for which you felt unsuited – who or what helped you at this time?

Give thanks for all the prophets who have been called to risk rejection and hostility in order spread God’s word. You may like to find out about  one such person – St. Francis of Assisi – whose feast is celebrated today.