Jonah Tries to Run Away from God!

 

27th Week Monday in Ordinary Time

Year One

Jon 1:1-17; 2:10

Jonah Tries to Run Away from God!

Meditation

Running away from God, reality and facts is normal for many people; for they fear that they are not able to face God and problems of life. On the other hand, God will not leave them to their fears and problems. He goes after them, and he carries out his mission through them. God can do wonders with those who are dispose to him. Johan realizes that he disobeyed God and takes up the punishment of being thrown into the sea; for the good of those in the ship. The Lord saves his life for he realized his wrong and cease to exist for the good and fear of the Lord. God brings him safe to the shore through, the whale which swallows him and brings him to the shore of Nineveh.  God’s ways are mysterious, and we need lot of time and space to recount his wonders and marvels.

Do we know that God has his ways of bring change in us?

Year Two

Gal 1:6-12

Meditation

God Reveals His Messages to His Servants!

St Paul instructs the people of Galatia not to be confused about the teaching of Jesus and the gospel preached. There are always people with different opinions and philosophies of religion and the gospels that are not of Christ. God has given us the grace to preach Christ and Christ alone. Jesus is the Saviour. The one who teaches others that the untrue gospel is under the weight of the curse. Let us teach and preach Christ Crucified and Risen to give eternal life.

The preaching and teaching of the gospel is not for approval, name and fame but to please God and not humans. The genuine preacher's origin of instruction is not of the human but of the Divine. In the case of St Paul, it was not his eloquence that was preached but the Christ's grace which used him to build the church. Let us check and take care not to preach of human knowledge but God’s revelation.

Do we depend upon the revelation of God.?

Lk 10:25-37

And who is my neighbour?

But wanting to vindicate himself, he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbour?” Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and took off, leaving him half dead.  Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan while traveling came upon him, and when he saw him, he was moved with compassion. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, treating them with oil and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.  The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him, and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’  Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” ( Lk 10:29-37).

We ask some questions, though we know the answers. It could be to hear the answer from the person concern or to let the answer be made known to the hearers. It may be also to pretend that we do not know the answer, while we are aware of the answer.  In any case, Jesus tells the captivating story for the question asked: Who is my neighbour? The answer is deeply human and deeply Divine: i.e. the one who is in need.

Do I notice the persons in need?

Fr Putti Anthaiah, sdb