Daily Retreat 10/09/07
2007 Oct 9 Tue/ Denis, bp, mt, & co., mts/ John Leonardi, p
Jon 3: 1-10/ Ps 130: 1b-2. 3-4ab. 7-8/ Lk 10: 38-42
From today’s readings: “The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time.... If You, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?... Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things....”
Reluctant Prophesy
When Jonah arrived in Nineveh, even though grateful to the Lord for saving his life (cf. chapter two), he probably was still reluctant, intimidated, and even resentful, about his vocation as a prophet to the people of Nineveh (cf. chapter four). So, when he began announcing his warning “Forty days more and Nineveh will be destroyed,” he very probably was not as zealous as we generally imagine prophets to be - indeed, perhaps we can even picture him as muttering the warning under his breath, not expecting anyone to listen. But surprisingly, everyone listens, takes the warning to heart, and even passes on the word!
Evidently, even reluctant cooperation with God’s will can be a providential means for God to bring inspiration to others. Too often, you and I dismiss certain people or situations as “hopeless,” and so we don’t bother even trying to bring about change with the light of our Christian message of hope. But in fact, such people and situations are like Nineveh - the ones who need it the most; and their presence in our life is not accidental, but providential, because we, like Jonah, are called (whether we like it or not!) to bring God’s Word to them.
Jon 3: 1-10/ Ps 130: 1b-2. 3-4ab. 7-8/ Lk 10: 38-42
From today’s readings: “The word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time.... If You, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?... Martha, Martha, you are anxious and worried about many things....”
Reluctant Prophesy
When Jonah arrived in Nineveh, even though grateful to the Lord for saving his life (cf. chapter two), he probably was still reluctant, intimidated, and even resentful, about his vocation as a prophet to the people of Nineveh (cf. chapter four). So, when he began announcing his warning “Forty days more and Nineveh will be destroyed,” he very probably was not as zealous as we generally imagine prophets to be - indeed, perhaps we can even picture him as muttering the warning under his breath, not expecting anyone to listen. But surprisingly, everyone listens, takes the warning to heart, and even passes on the word!
Evidently, even reluctant cooperation with God’s will can be a providential means for God to bring inspiration to others. Too often, you and I dismiss certain people or situations as “hopeless,” and so we don’t bother even trying to bring about change with the light of our Christian message of hope. But in fact, such people and situations are like Nineveh - the ones who need it the most; and their presence in our life is not accidental, but providential, because we, like Jonah, are called (whether we like it or not!) to bring God’s Word to them.
posted by FrPitstick | 10/08/2007
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