Jonah 3:1-10
Psalm 130:1b-2, 3-4ab, 7-8
Luke 10:38-42
Today's first reading tells us that the people of Nineveh believed Jonah's prophecy from God: that in 40 days, they would be destroyed. That belief stirred them to take action: they repented as a people, led by their king no less. Once God saw their action, born of their repentance, it stirred God not to destroy them. We too can
benefit from this message.
First, believe that God in His justice will punish sin. Second, we need to repent of our sins -- and take appropriate action to show that we're serious. For, as today's responsorial psalm says, "If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?" The next part of the psalm says it all: "But with you is forgiveness, that you may be revered." Forgiveness . . . what an amazing and huge thing forgiveness is! Although God doesn't have to forgive us for our wrongdoing, when we genuinely repent of our
sins, He does forgive us. He wants to forgive us, if only we ask Him!
Once we are forgiven, we know by personal experience the power and mercy of God. And then our natural reaction, as the psalmist says, is to revere God. Then, once again, all will be in right order -- between us and God.
Father Ed Bakker
