Homily Third Sunday of Ordinary Time (Jonah 3:1-5, 10) “Quite a Fish Story”
Homily Third Sunday of Ordinary Time (Jonah 3:1-5, 10) “Quite a Fish Story”
The Bible contains all kinds of literature. We would agree that in contains theology, history, poetry, proverbs and mythology. As Christians we are serious about our sacred texts. But there is levity in the Scriptures. We read from a book of the Bible that is rather curious today. If we read this book as simply an historical account, we lose much of the significance of it. The piece of Scripture is one Jesus quoted often. The part of the Bible I am referring to is the Book of the Prophet Jonah.
Jonah doesn’t blend in with all the other prophetic works. Jonah does not have the soaring prose of the Prophet Isaiah. Jonah doesn’t have the powerful condemnations of the prophet Jeremiah nor does it have the apocalyptic predictions of Zechariah.
Jonah is a short work which we could label parody. The book of Jonah takes on the persona of all the prophets. The writing makes its points through humor. In a way it seems to say, let’s not take ourselves too seriously. In another way it reveals profound truths we need to pay attention to.
If we remember the story of Jonah, we remember that God calls Jonah to go to preach repentance in the City of Nineveh. Jonah doesn’t want the job. God says go east to Nineveh. Jonah takes the first boat west. He runs away. He does the opposite of what God asks.
We recall how a storm blows up when the boat is sailing away. The crew of the ship pray to their gods asking for mercy as they are about to sink. Jonah realizes that he is the cause of all the turmoil. He admits that God is mad at him. The crew throws him overboard into the sea where he is swallowed by a fish. He spends three days in the belly of the fish in the depths of the sea. He is spat out on land. Finally, he goes to Nineveh where he preaches repentance. Even though he does this halfheartedly, he is totally successful. The whole city does penance. Everyone from the King to the lowest animal dresses in sackcloth.
In the end, Jonah is mad at God because God does not destroy the city. God makes fun of Jonah for being angry. He ridicules Jonah for not rejoicing that 120,000 people are saved.
We need to dig deeper to appreciate the true irony here. Who were the Assyrians? The Assyrians were not believers in the God of Israel. The Assyrians had their own religion. The people of Assyria conquered the northern part of Israel in the 7th century BC. When they conquered Samaria, they killed and pillaged. In the end they carried the people of Israel off into exile taking away their homeland. In effect, they wiped the nation of Israel off the map. And these were the people that Jonah went to preach to. Is it any wonder that Jonah didn’t want to go to Nineveh? What success could he possibly have with so brutal a people? Was it any wonder that Jonah was disappointed that fire and brimstone didn’t rain down on this empire that had destroyed a large part of his people? Yet, when the Assyrians repent God forgives. The message is clear, if the hearts of the Ninevites can be changed then there is hope that everyone can change. If the Ninevites could be extended forgiveness than there is hope for everyone.
Jonah was the one whose heart was hard. He was the one who had the most difficulty changing. When Jonah was squeezed in the great fish’s belly at the bottom of the sea it showed how low his judgmental stance had taken him. His disdain for his enemies had drug him down to the depths. It had killed his spirit. He needed to be reborn. Jesus used Jonah’s spiritual conversion when he preached about resurrection. Jonah was drawn out of the sea after three days. The Son of man would spend three days in bowls of the earth and be reborn.
In the present moment in our country, we have divided up into tribes. People cannot see the value of anyone who disagrees with them. We can see others the way Jonah saw the Assyrians as unworthy of salvation. The sins of others are painted in black and white terms. Some religious leaders condemn people to everlasting fire. And they are disappointed when God does not rain that fire down on their enemies. We need to come out of the depths, to be reborn, to rediscover the truth of the Gospel that is proclaimed in Psalm 103, “The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to anger and filled with unfailing love.” May that be the truth that Christians proclaim loud and clear for that is the message everyone needs to hear.
Reflection Questions:
- Is there a group of people that I dismiss unworthy? Who are they and would Jesus have the same feelings?
- Do I allow others to change? Am I rigid or malleable? Which stance is easier?
Dear Parishioners,
During the past year we have had to adjust our religious practices in any number of ways. We will have to do this once again as we move into February.
We will have the Feast of St. Blaise as we begin February. Blaise was known for his healing gifts. One of his miracles revolved around saving a child that was choking to death. On this day we bless throats with crossed candles. The bishops have asked that we refrain from this practice this year because of health concerns. Therefore, on the Feast of St. Blaise which is February 3rd we will be having a general blessing at the end of Mass and the priest will simply pray over everyone with arms extended.
On February 17th we will celebrate Ash Wednesday. On this day we usually make an ash cross on everyone’s forehead as a sign of penance. This year we will be going back to an earlier practice out of health concerns. We will say the customary formula only once, “Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return.”, than we will sprinkle ashes on each person’s head when they come forward. This is the custom in Italy and several other countries. This will allow priests not to touch each person and will minimize the danger of infection.
Once again, I thank everyone for being understanding of these changes.
May Our Lady and all the angels and saints protect you this week.
Fr. Mark