Theme: Let us be a sign to our brothers and sisters.
Scriptures: Jon 3:1-10; Ps. 51; Lk. 11:29-32
The story of Jonah is an eye opener to the people of Israel. Jonah who represented People of Israel never had will to preach the repentance to the people of Nineveh because they were the staunch enemies. Jonah along with the people of Israel always sought the destruction of their enemies. This was the golden opportunity to see the destruction of Ninevites. Therefore, Jonah did not like to go to Nineveh. He was running away from God. Jonah was forced by God to go to Nineveh. Jonah preached the repentance just for the sake of preaching but the result was outstanding. The people of Nineveh along with their king believed in the God of Israel. They proclaim fast, put on sackcloth, sat in the ashes. No animals, herds, flock were given water or feed. They cried mightily to God. As a result, God changed His mind. The people of Nineveh were spared. The story of Jonah has a strong message i.e. God loves the contrite humbled heart. He does not see which religion, cast, creed, nation that we belong to. The psalmist also tells us the same. He says, God loves the clean heart. He does not take delight in sacrifices but He is pleased with a broken and contrite heart.
Jesus in the Gospel also pointing to the same fact. While responding to the people who were demanding for a sign, Jesus told them about the Prophet Jonah and the queen of South. Jonah had become a sign to the people of Nineveh because he called them for repentance and they were saved. Jesus came to call the sinners, publicans and tax collectors. He said he has come not to call righteous but the sinners. What was pleasing to know that the sinners were returning to God. Jesus told that He was greater than Jonah because Jonah did not preach repentance from his heart but he was forced to preach. Whereas, Jesus did it out of his free will. Jonah just preached the repentance but Jesus, the Son of God preached it and also had the power to forgave sinfulness.
This was the wisdom that the sinners understood it who were considered to be outcast like the pagans. They accepted it, therefore, they will be saved just like the queen of the South who came to listen to the wisdom of Solomon. The wisdom of God revealed that He loves the humble contrite heart. He loves a clean heart. Jesus was greater than Solomon because at the end of Solomon’s life, his human wisdom did not help him. His heart turned against God. He followed his pagan wives. He worshipped pagan gods. Whereas, Jesus is God himself. He is the source of wisdom. He reveals the merciful face of God.
The liturgy today reminds us that God loves the clean, humbled and contrite heart. Can we turn away from our sinfulness and be a sign to our brothers and sisters? May this season of Lent fill us with the grace to work on the stubbornness of our hearts.
