1st week in Lent, Wednesday – 21st February 2024 – Jonah 3,1-10; Lk 11,29-32
Firm Belief in Salvation
The first reading from the book of Jonah presents the conversion of wicked Gentiles, as a response to God’s invitation to repentance. In fact, the main message of the book is that God wants all people, not just Israel, to repent from their sins and receive His merciful salvation. The story of Jonah is full of irony and contrasts. Jonah experienced God’s mercy when he was saved from drowning by the fish and protected from the sun by a plant that miraculously grew in one night. And yet, Jonah was angry when God was merciful to the repentant Ninevites. Jonah’s announcement to repentance was accepted as God’s call by the leader and people of Nineveh. They believed and performed public penances, including fasting and wearing sackcloth, to avert the coming judgment of God upon the city. They worked out together for everyone’s salvation, because they had change of heart. The people of Nineveh responded to prophet Jonah’s voice, even though they saw no signs or miracles. They simply believed the message of the prophet and feared God’s judgment.
