Luke 11:29-32
Jonah, starting out, doesn’t seem like much of a prophet, does he? He’s a frightened man fleeing the task God gives him–to preach repentance to the great city of Nineveh. He thinks it can’t be done. Not only does he think himself unable to preach repentance to that city but, as we see later in the story, he doesn’t think they deserve to be forgiven. He has a low estimation of God’s forgiveness.
He can’t stop the sailors who thought he cursed their ship from throwing him overboard. He would have been finished if the whale that swallowed him didn’t vomit him onto the shore at Nineveh.The people of Nineveh listened to Jonah and begged God for forgiveness. God calls Jonah to be his messenger of forgiveness.
In Jesus, a greater than Jonah calls us to take up his mission. Jesus announced his death and then rose from the belly of the earth. That’s his great word, his message of hope — God’s forgiveness. That message must be proclaimed to the whole world and the world must hear it.
Paintings and sculptures of the story of Jonah, like the above, often appear in the early Christian catacombs of Rome. There’s Jonah thrown to the whale. On the upper right panel, Moses strikes the rock and water flows, a sign of Baptism promising life. (Note the water flows over the whale) On the panel upper left, Jesus raises Lazarus from the grave.
The story of Jonah raises our hope and nourishes our prayers. God offers us a great mission and a great vision. As it was with Jonah, we may find it beyond our understanding and think our world unredeemable, but we are called to believe in the great mercy of God. but we are called to believe.
“Have mercy on me, O God, in your kindness” we pray in Psalm 51, our responsorial psalm today. Is that the prayer of one person, or is it the prayer of the whole world, yearning for forgiveness, like the people of Nineveh?
Lord,
I believe in the sign
that lifted you up and blesses us,
the sign of your Cross.
You bring resurrection and life to the world,.
Help us believe in what is beyond anything we know..
Amen.
For more: http://www.PassionistsPray.org
The Victor's Place 
Thank you Father Victor. When I read your final prayer I thought of our beloved friend, Owen Lally, and I found some relief for the grief that I am feeling.
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Frightened and fleeing,
Captured by circumstances,
Far from familar,
Scared at what I’m seeing.
How often I’ve drifted!
Crying out for mercy,
I cross my heart,
Invoke the Trinity.
Carry me through
Rising storm waves.
I’m saved by Divinity.
Once unfamiliar place,
Now filled with grace.
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Dear Father Victor, when you gave me at my 2/5/2025 Confession that I made…that fist pump in the air, affirming, yes, you have a Spiritual director and you go to confession …that gave me hope…But with that hope …I hope that doesnt come with doubt and disappointment!!
I do want to see you, perhaps we can go to dinner…my place…I can’t cook…but I do have great restaurants to order from. Call you soon…we’ll figure out our schedules!!
Maybe, maybe not, I can make your Lenten series…I’ll see how I feel…but, DEFINITELY, DINNER!!
Carry on, Father Victor!! In the Passion of Jesus Christ: May the Passion of Jesus Christ be always in our hearts! I am consoled knowing that the Passionists hold on to THAT…NO MATTER WHAT!
From your reflection today, the following rings out to me, as I recall the penance you gave me on 2/5/25 (Psalm 51):
“Have mercy on me, O God, in your kindness” we pray in Psalm 51, our responsorial psalm today. Is that the prayer of one person, or is it the prayer of the whole world, yearning for forgiveness, like the people of Nineveh?”
Father Victor, I gotta tell you…your online and in person, too, spritual guidance…have kept me going!
lf I may, say so, take care my friend! Hope to speak to you soon!!
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