today's psalm is Psalm 51
The story of Jonah is one for all ages. It is short and filled with all kinds of characters, the primary one being Jonah himself. Most Biblical scholars agree that the book was written for Jewish religious nationalists who rejected the idea that God might be not just their God, but the God of all peoples. Somehow they thought that this idea might change their status as being the Chosen People. And when it came to other peoples and nations, they thought God had nothing to do with them, and in fact, God's most important task was to destroy them whenever they were a threat to Israel.
Earlier in this book, we see that Jonah was quite reluctant to accept the call of God to be His prophet, and he went to all kind of lengths to avoid this role. Another reason for his reluctance was the call to go to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. Assyria was the superpower of the Middle East for a very long time, and was much hated and feared by its neighbors due to its legendary cruelty. As the capital of the country, Nineveh was the seat of such cruelty and sinfulness.
Despite his efforts, Jonah finally arrives in Nineveh. Jonah sets asides his fears and with much relish delightedly shares this message of impending destruction. However, Jonah was not prepared for their response. He was shocked by their call to repent, and then horrified by God's willingness to show mercy to them.
In today's gospel Jesus uses the story of our 1st reading to rebuke his listeners for rejecting God’s grace and offer of mercy to all. Jesus tells them that He was the sign of Jonah to his generation. If the evil Ninevites listened to a weak, reluctant messenger of God and repented, why won’t they, having God’s greatest messenger invite them to listen to Him? Instead, they close their ears and hearts to Him.
Today's readings remind us of the vast, never-ending mercy of God that is offered to us - all of us - not jsut the Chosen People, not just to we faithful Christians, but to all of us. However, that offer must be accepted and then responded to with a spirit of contrition, as today's psalm reminds us. May we be open to this life-giving offer.