Fr Peter Ireorji, MSP - Homily Wednesday, March 13, 2019

You have to sympathize with Jonah. He has had some rough times before Jonah 3:1-10. First, God gave him an impossible mission: to convince the people of the world’s most sinful city to change their ways or risk having their city destroyed. He hopped on a boat heading in the opposite direction, hoping to escape God’s call. When a storm came up and raised such waves that the ship seemed doomed to sink, the sailors figured he was a jinx and tossed him overboard. He was swallowed by a gigantic fish, which finally spit him up on a beach. He decided maybe he would try it God’s way. He made his way to the wicked city of Nineveh where, with much trepidation, he preached God’s message: “Change your ways or my God will destroy your city.” He was certain that these folks were not about to listen to one of their enemies. But, as we heard in the first reading, they did indeed repent and God spared them. And was Jonah delighted? Not a bit! He went into a magnificent pout because God had made a fool of him by forgiving those wicked folks. A prophet’s life is a hard one! Our wickedness probably doesn’t rank with that of the Ninevites, but we are painfully aware of how short we fall of perfection. This season is our opportunity to pause and take stock, to heed the prophets God has sent to dwell among us. He calls us to seek him with true repentance, humility, and the honesty to see our sins for what they really are – a rejection of his love and will for our lives. God will transform us if we listen to his word and allow his Holy Spirit to work in our lives. Shalom!