The first time Jonah is called by God to preach to the Ninevites, he runs away. God gives him a mission and he boards a boat headed in the opposite direction.
Jonah hated the Ninevites. Nineveh was the capital of the Assyria. When Assyria conquered the Israelites, it was to Nineveh that the prisoners and looted treasure were sent.
So Jonah turned away from God’s call out of fear and hatred. And what happens? He is thrown overboard because the crew fears God’s wrath. Jonah is swallowed by a
large fish, and then spit out. He ends up on shore right back where he started, with God giving him the same mission. Does that sound familiar? God gives us a mission, we run the other way, we hit a wall, and God gives us a mission.
We cannot successfully run from the call of God. If we try, we only end up in storms or back where we started with little to show for our wayward journey.
Are we avoiding that one thing in life that we feel God calling us to? Has God given us a mission that we are ignoring? Are we in the midst of a storm because of it? Are we paralyzed by hate or fear?
Let this be the day we say to God — Yes, I will do the right thing — With the help of your love, I will conquer hatred — With the help of your courage — I will conquer fear.
Pax vobiscum
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time