February 24
Readings – JON 3:1-10; LK 11:29-32
The first reading today situates us in the middle of the story of Jonah. Most of us know the simplified version of the story (he was the guy in the belly of the whale for 3 days), but the actual story is quite rich and nuanced. Jonah doesn’t want to do what God asks of him. He is swallowed by a large fish (sorry, no whale is mentioned) and lives in its belly for 3 days. He gets spit out on the shore of Nineveh and eventually decides to do what God tells him. People hear his message and repent.
I think about the correlations in our own lives:
The times we’re not interested in cooperating with God’s plan.
The times when we must live in the belly of something and not know how it will turn out.
The times when we get spit onto the shore of a place or situation we didn’t want or ask for.
The times when we hear a message and repent.
In the gospel, Jesus gives us the perplexing phrase that, “No sign will be given – except the sign of Jonah.” What does this mean?
Richard Rohr, OFM, says that this “sign” from Jesus is that we must be taken to a place where we do not want to go (at some level), sit in a place of powerlessness and then emerge with new purpose, vigor and clarity. It is the path of descent (what Meister Eckhart calls a spirituality of subtraction) where there is no certainty except for the possibility of transformation.
Just this weekend at mass, Fr. Jim Callan said that if our Lenten practices do not scare us at some level, perhaps they’re not engaging us very deeply or authentically. Transformation is scary business. Sometimes, (like Jonah), we try to head in the other direction. Sometimes (like the people of Nineveh) we surrender to the process.
As we continue on our Lenten journey, may we pause to reflect on what invitations for transformation or repentance are coming our way and learn from the sign of Jonah as we sit with the uncertainty and get spit out on a new shore.
8 Comments
Karen D’Angelo
You are a gifted writer, Mike, and I appreciate these postings. I’m sure your message will hit home for many as it did for me – reflecting on my own life, my loved ones and on today’s political landscape. God bless.
Mike Boucher Author
thanks for the affirmation, Karen. I appreciate having you along on the journey.
Randy Bradshaw
Thanks, Mike. Yes, it IS scary , sometimes to do what God is calling us to do. I appreciate these “lessons”. Randy
Mike Boucher Author
thanks, Randy! Glad you’re along with us.
Mary Ann
Wow! Such a powerful meditation- I am thinking of the Jonah story in a whole new way. Thanks for bringing it to my life in this Lent!
Mike Boucher Author
thanks, Mary Ann. It is amazing what a shift in perspective can open up for us. It’s always something I appreciate in my life.
Claire Benesch
Thank you, Mike. This fits right in with the discussion last night. I would tend to shy away from what’s scary. So I pray this Lent to be able to embrace the scary.
Mike Boucher Author
Claire, be careful what you pray for! 😉
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