The call of Nineveh

                                                                     

Jonah's journey to Nineveh

- Brian Mendonca

The Sunday Mass readings of today are powerful. They speak to us in the urgency of our times. In the first reading Jonah goes to Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire. He tells them to change their ways. In the second reading we are warned that the present form of the world is passing. 'The appointed time has grown very short.' In the Gospel reading Jesus recruits his disciples.

Breaking the word, the priest cautioned against procrastination. Do what has to be done now. The more you delay, the more problems are created. Jonah was called by God to go East. He refused the first time. In fact, he ran in the opposite direction, to the West to Tarshish, in Spain to escape his responsibility. The second time he became the instrument of God's plan - even though he had to venture into enemy territory - for the Assyrians were constantly attacking Israel.

We are all called to perform, even if sometimes we do not believe in ourselves, or we lack confidence. Jesus was in a hurry to do His work. He did not waste time. He chose ordinary people to be on his team - fishermen, carpenters, menders of nets.

Jonah was a prophet who lived in the 8th century BCE. He prophesied in Assyria during the reign of Ashurdan III (772-774 BCE). His being swallowed by the whale for 3 days prefigures Christ's death and resurrection later. Jonah is mentioned by Jesus in his teachings. The moment of Jonah's defeat is recast as a metaphor for Jesus's salvific mission.* No matter how unworthy we may seem, God can work through us.

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*Insight by Chuck Swindoll. Pic courtesy Stephen Miller. The Word was broken by Fr. Lody at the shrine of Don Bosco, Panjim, Goa today.