In the face of fear
From today’s Scripture: “Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but a single day’s walk announcing, ‘Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,’ when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.” –Jon 3:4-5
What we don’t hear in today’s first reading is the beginning of the story. When Jonah initially hears God’s call to go to Nineveh, he tries to run in the opposite direction and is swallowed up by a whale. When he does get to the city and begins to preach as God instructed him, the people listen. It’s a miracle!
It makes me wonder why Jonah was so afraid to go to Nineveh in the first place. He is not met with any hardship when he gets there; the people are eager to listen to his words. Fear – of the unknown, of discomfort – often leads us away from what God asks. But God’s plan is always better than our own. Because of Jonah, the entire city of Nineveh was saved.
Let us pray: O God, help me to follow your call today. Quiet my fears and give me the courage to trust that your plan is better than mine.
Today’s author is Theresa Nguyen-Gillen, a member of Glenmary’s Communications Team.
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