March 2, 2015

March 2

March 2, 2015:  Monday, Second Week of Lent



  • 'Sheep' tie bar:  "We the sheep of your pasture will give thanks..." (psalm)
  • 'Ruler' tie bar:  "The measure you measure will be measured to you." (gospel)
  • White shirt:  Transfiguration clothing (Sunday gospel)
  • 'Jubilee year' button:  Gospel fills us with joy (Cantalamessa homily)
  • Purple in suspenders:  Lenten season
Listen

From the Vatican
Pope Francis homily:  The ability to judge oneself is a Christian virtue, the first step for those who want to be Christian.  We're masters self-justification with alibis to explain away our shortcomings and sins.  It’s easy to blame others, but if we look at what we're capable of doing, we'll feel disgust but then receive peace and health.  When I feel envy and know it's capable of speaking ill of others and assassinating them, it's the wisdom of judging oneself.  If I don't learn this step, I'll never be able to take other steps along the Christian road.
Judge yourself:  I'm capable of doing bad things.  The roots of sin are in each of us.  Recognize the shame of your sin and the greatness of God's mercy.  "Be merciful as your Father is merciful."  When you accuse yourself first, you're merciful to others:  who am I to judge, if I can do worse things?  "Stop judging and condemning, and you won't be judged and condemned.  Forgive and you'll be forgiven."  May the Lord give us grace to judge ourselves, ask for shame and mercy, and be merciful to others.
Pope's Angelus:  At the Transfiguration Jesus is on the way to Jerusalem, where the 'Servant of God' prophecies would be fulfilled.  The crowds, facing the prospect Jesus wouldn't liberate them from Roman rule as they thought the Messiah would, abandoned him.  Peter, James and John witness Jesus on a mountain, praying, transfigured, radiant, revealed as perfect icon of the Father in glory.  "Listen to him!"  Listen to and follow the Savior; the journey leads us to happiness.  We too climb the Mount of Transfiguration and stop in contemplation of Jesus' face, to receive the message and translate it into our lives; love can transfigure us.
Papal preacher Fr. Cantalamessa's homily: Gospel Joy Fills Heart and Life (concluded, from yesterday)
4. Faith, works and the Spirit:  We don't reduce the Gospel to faith, neglecting works.  The Bible speaks of conversion to those who have already believed.  A child can do nothing to be conceived, but once born, it must use its lungs and suck milk or else the life it received is extinguished.  In the same way, “faith apart from works is dead.”  “Faith renders itself active through love”:  we're not saved by good works, but we're not saved without good works.
Evangelii Gaudium reflects the faith/works synthesis:  the gospel says no to egoism, injustice, idolatry of money and yes to service of others, social commitment, and the poor.  The personal encounter with Jesus becomes the spring for evangelization and sanctification.  The need for commitment doesn't attenuate the promise of joy but reinforces it.  The grace God offered by sending his Son doesn't leave us alone; it does in and with us what it commands, making us “overjoyed also in tribulation.”  The Holy Spirit “helps us in our weakness”; he's our great resource.  The promised joy is the fruit of the Spirit, maintained only through continuous contact with him.
Human breathing takes place in two phases:  inspiration and expiration.  It's a good symbol of what should happen in the spiritual organism:  through prayer, meditation, sacraments, mortification, and silence, we inhale the Spirit; we diffuse the Spirit when we go out towards others to proclaim the faith and do works of charity.  The Lenten Season a time of inspiration.  Take deep breaths; fill your soul's lungs with the Spirit, so our breath will have the scent of Christ.
Read
  • Dn 9:4b-10 “Lord, we've sinned, but compassion and forgiveness are yours!” 
  • Ps 79:8-9, 11, 13 "Lord, do not deal with us according to our sins." O God, help us, deliver us, and pardon our sins; then we'll will give thanks and praise you.
  • Lk 6:36-38 Be merciful like your Father. Stop judging, stop condemning, forgive, and give; the measure with which you measure will be measured out to you. 
Reflect
    • Creighton:  The gospel gives us a blueprint for loving and generous relationships with others.  It's also the kind of relationship God wants with and for us:  mercy and compassion, not judging or condemnation.  We can only experience the covenant relationship with God we've been promised when we get out of the way. God is love and God is generous!
    • One Bread One Body:  "Permissiveness and compassion":  Today's readings speak of ever-increasing awareness of sin.  Sin results in being brought low.  People who rebel against God will reap sin's harvest, disaster and death; the measure rebels measure will be measured back to them.  A Christian can't encourage a lost sheep to wander into sin rather than the Good Shepherd's loving protection.  Permissiveness can be seen as an act of indifference, the opposite of compassion.  Compassion doesn't judge motivation but doesn't ignore sin's effects; it embraces the lost and stands ready to rescue them from the consequences of its rebellions.
    • Passionist:  "Give....  The measure you measure will be measured to you" is a great standard for a Lenten project.  All day we give and receive greetings, food, talk, right of way on the road, smiles,....  Will I give in good measure?  Will I receive in humble gratitude?  Will my Lent prepare me for God's greatest gift, Jesus' sacrifice on a cross, so that we too might rise? 
    • DailyScripture.net:  Do I pray for mercy and pardon for myself and others who need it?  Do I forgive, or allow resentment to grow?  Daniel was shamefaced before God because he recognized many had been unfaithful.  He acknowledged the sins and pleaded for compassion.  When we're confronted with our sins, we experience guilt and shame.  If we're honest and humble, we'll ask for mercy and forgiveness and turn towards good.
    Jesus, knowing us, said "don't judge lest you be judged":  we judge with mixed motives, impure hearts, and prejudice.  We must be cleansed to discern right judgment with grace and mercy.  Ephrem the Syrian:  "With the judgment you judge shall you be judged is like 'Forgive, and it will be forgiven you.'  One who's judged with justice should forgive with grace, so that when he's judged, he may be forgiven.  It was on account of judges who seek vengeance that he said, 'Don't condemn' (don't seek vengeance for yourselves).  Don't judge from appearances and opinion and then condemn, but admonish and advise.  (Commentary on Tatian's Diatessaron, 6.18B, paraphrased) 
    Treat others as God wishes, with forbearance, mercy, and kindness.  God, good to saint and sinner alike, seeks what's best and teaches us to seek others' good.  Our love must be marked by the kindness God shows us, though it's hard when we can expect nothing in return.  Prayer for those who do us ill breaks the power of revenge and releases the power of love.  God makes it possible for us to love those who cause us grief; God's love conquers all, even our hurts and fears.
      • Universalis:  St. Chad, bishop, abbot, outstanding in humility and simplicity of life.
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      March 1, 2015

      2nd Sun. of Lent

      March 1, 2015:  Second Sunday of Lent

      Find 12 connections with today's readings and celebration?
      Legend below

      Listen

      From Ed Bolduc's blog (but new links)
      2. How to respond to new needs?  For baptized Christians who may be in the Church and receive sacraments but still need evangelization, RCIA and other life-filled movements render almost tangible the Church's vivacity and the Holy Spirit's presence and action.
      3. The Gospel fills believers with joy:  Gospel joy is only experienced by establishing an intimate relationship with Jesus.  The Gospel is called euangelion (happy, beautiful, joyful news):  Mark summarizes Jesus' preaching as  “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe....” but its meaning has been obscured because of the Greek metanoeite ('repent') was translated 'do penance'  instead of “turn your mind around,” be aware of what's happening.  Before Jesus, 'convert' meant “go back,” return to the violated covenant, through renewed observance of the law; it had an ascetic, moral, and penitential meaning:  changing one’s conduct.  Conversion was seen as a condition for salvation.  John the Baptist meant it this way (Lk 3:4-6), but with Jesus the reality changed:  conversion was to leap forward and enter into God's kingdom.
      "Be converted" and "believe" are the same action; be converted by believing!  Conversion and salvation have exchanged places:  no longer: sin, conversion,  salvation (convert and salvation will come), but sin, salvation, conversion (convert because salvation has come).  We're no better or worse than before, but God sent his Son so we might be adopted.  Many parables, such as those of the banquet and lost sheep, confirm this happy proclamation.  The sheep's conversion consisted of the shepherd's bringing it back on his shoulders; the sheep just let itself be carried.  St. Paul: “The gain I had [to be a circumcised observer of the law] I counted as loss for the sake of Christ; I count all as loss because of the worth of knowing Christ, for whose sake I've suffered the loss of all things, and count them as refuse, that I may gain Christ, having righteousness through faith in him, the righteousness of God that depends on faith” (Phil 3:7-9).
      The Gospel is 'good news' and is source of joy because it tells of a God who “so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should have eternal life.”  Many remember Jesus’ “To come after me, deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me” and see the Gospel as suffering and self-denial, not joy, but “follow me” is not just to death on the cross but through death to the resurrection, life, and joy without end!  [continued tomorrow]
      Read

      • Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18  God tested Abraham, asking him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.  As Abraham took the knife, the angel stopped him.  "I know now how devoted you are to God.  I'll bless you abundantly."
        Transfiguration/ Ivanov
      • Ps 116:10, 15-19  "I will walk before the Lord, in the land of the living."  I believed.  Precious in God's eyes is the death of his faithful.  I'm your servant; you loosed my bonds.  I'll offer you a sacrifice of thanksgiving and call upon your name.
      • Rom 8:31b-34  If God is for us, who can be against us?  How will he who handed his Son over for us not give us everything else?  Who will bring a charge against God’s chosen ones:  God who acquits?  Christ at his right hand interceding for us?
      • Mk 9:2-10  Jesus led Peter, James, and John up a mountain and was transfigured before them.  Elijah and Moses appeared and were conversing with Jesus.  Peter:  “It's good we're here!  Let's make three tents....”  Voice from cloud:  “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.”  Suddenly they only saw Jesus with them.
      Reflect
        • Creighton:  The Transfiguration is an invitation to transformation.  Only Jesus can transform us, but we must be open, as Abraham was.  What gets in the way?  May I let go of it.
        • One Bread One Body:  "Listening post":  The Lord is the most important person in the world to listen to.  After the Transfiguration, Jesus talked to his apostles about the cross, but they didn't listen till they received the Spirit at Pentecost.  We must listen.
        The Transfiguration of Christ
        (Lotto)
        • Passionist:   The light shining from Jesus reveals his transcendent, divine character, the mountain and cloud recall God’s appearance on Sinai, the figures of lawgiver Moses and prophet Elijah bring the Old Testament and God’s care for Israel into view, and the voice identifies Jesus as “[God's] beloved Son.”  God commands, “Listen to him” as Jesus begins his journey to Jerusalem and the cross, during which he tells his disciples to follow him.  The heart of the Christian message is love, compassion, loving service to the world.
        • DailyScripture.net:  Through the eyes of faith Abraham recognized God's call on his life and hoped in God's promises.  The Lord Jesus reveals his glory in fulfilling his Father's will.  Am I prepared to see God's glory?  The Lord wants to share it with each of us.  Origen re how the transfiguration can change us:   "When he's transfigured, his face shines as the sun that he may be manifested to the children of light who walk honestly as in the day.  He'll shine on them not simply as the sun, but as the sun of righteousness." (paraphrased)  While Jesus was transfigured, Peter, James, and John were asleep.  How much do I miss God's glory and action because I'm spiritually asleep?  May I be awake and alert. "We, with unveiled face, behold the Lord's glory and are being changed into his likeness; this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit" (2 Cor 3:18).
        Apparel legend
        • 'Wood block' tie pin:  Abraham arranged wood on the altar he built (1st reading)
        • 'Hand' tie pin:  Angel:  "Don't lay your hand on the boy" (1st reading)
        • 'Star' tie pin:  "I'll make your descendants as countless as the stars" (1st reading)
        • 'Walker' tie pin:  "I'll walk before the Lord" (psalm)
        • 'Eyeball' tie pin:  Precious in the Lord's eyes is the death of his faithful (psalm)
        • 'Phone' tie bar:  I'll 'call' on the Lord's name (psalm)
        • 'Scales of justice' pin:  If God acquits, who will condemn? (2nd reading)
        • 'Mountain' pin:  Jesus took Peter, James, and John to a mountain (gospel)
        • White shirt:  Jesus' clothes became dazzling white (gospel)
        • 'Cloud' tie:  A cloud came and from it a voice (gospel)
        • 'Jubilee year' button:  Gospel fills us with joy (Cantalamessa homily)
        • Purple suspenders:  Lenten season
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        February 28, 2015

        Feb. 28

        February 28, 2015:  Saturday, 1st week of Lent




        • 'Sun' tie:  the sun rises on the bad and the good (gospel)
        • 'Girl with heart' pin:  observe God's command with your whole heart (1st reading); love your enemies (gospel)
        • 'Walker' [or shot-putter?] tie pin:  walk in the Lord's ways (1st reading, psalm)
        • Purple shirt:  Lenten season

          Listen

          Papal preacher Fr. Cantalamessa's homily: Gospel Joy Fills Heart and Life: Reflections on Evangelii Gaudium
          1.  Personal Encounter with Jesus:  Evangelii Gaudium presents three intertwined poles of interest:  who must evangelize, what must be evangelized, how one should do it.  All the baptized should evangelize.  Pope Francis invites us all to a renewed daily personal encounter with Christ.  The purpose of evangelization isn't transmission of doctrine, but encounter with Jesus.  Jesus is alive and wants to walk next to you, as he walked with the disciples en route to Emmaus and was was in their hearts.  We've preferred to speak of ecclesial encounter with Jesus through the sacraments, but a personal encounter isn't a substitute.  Both must be be free, willed, and spontaneous.
          In the Church's first 3 centuries, you became a Christian after a long initiation/catechumenate, and it was a personal decision.  When Christianity became tolerated, favored, even imposed, becoming Christian shifted to a social decision, and mass baptisms were the norm; the king's religion was also the kingdom's.  Focus shifted from becoming Christian to living morally.  But monasticism and religious orders arose in which baptism was radically lived and Christian life was the fruit of a personal decision.  Centuries later, modernity, the French Revolution and Enlightenment, the emancipation of State from Church, the exaltation of individual freedom, and radical secularization, changed the situation of the faith in society.  Hence the urgency of a new evangelization that, moving from nontraditional bases and taking new situations into account, creates occasions to enable today's people to make free, personal, and mature decisions to become real, not nominal, Christians.  [continued tomorrow]
          Read
          Wordle: Readings 2-28-15
          • Dt 26:16-19  Moses:  “God commands you to observe these commands; do it with your heart and soul.  You're agreeing to walk in God's ways, and the Lord is agreeing to make you his own and raise you high.”
          • Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 7-8  "Blessed are they who follow the law of the Lord!"  I'll give you thanks and keep your statutes.
          • Mt 5:43-48  “You've heard it said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy, but I say, Love your enemies.  So be perfect, just like your heavenly Father.”
                Reflect
                  • Creighton:  If we dwell on our failures to observe the commandments or think that commands are an end in themselves, we can forget God promised a redemptive embrace even in the midst of shortcomings and a Spirit that will empower us to be perfect like our Father.  Recognize God’s desire for an eternal embrace, even now.  He wants to embrace our failures, struggles, and humanity, free us from guilt. and make us a people sacred to him.
                  • One Bread One Body:  "Abba":  The Holy Spirit will confirm our Father's love through our Lenten prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.  Trust God completely and let him lead you; let the Spirit cry "Abba" in your heart.
                  • Passionist:  A contract is a civil agreement, but a covenant is an agreement between two persons and God.  The covenant in the 1st reading called for people to observe God's commandments and to hearken to God's voice.  If we follow the commandments and walk in God's footsteps, we'll enjoy a lasting relationship with God.  We slip and fall, but God is there to pick us up and remind us of the love that makes our relationship powerful!  Matthew says we can be faithful to the covenant by heeding the law of love.  Love of enemies takes willingness to lay down jealousy, stubbornness, and impatience in order to embrace others; we can't if we view our relationship with God as a mere contract.  May God lead us to an ever-deepening relationship with him....
                  • DailyScripture.net:  God's constant love can free us from every evil.  Jesus' teaching on the law transforms the law of justice and mercy with grace and loving-kindness.  God is good to the just and unjust alike; he seeks our highest good and teaches us to seek others'.  It's hard when we expect nothing in return, but his love, power, and grace make it possible.  Jesus' "be perfect" command parallels God's command to Abraham to "be perfect"/"blameless" before God (Hebrew/Aramaic "perfect" = "complete," "whole," "not lacking in what's essential") and God's "be holy, for I am holy" command to Moses and Israel, calling us to become like him.  God knows our sinfulness and assures us of his mercy and help.
                  • Universalis:  St. Oswald, Benedictine monk, bishop, revived monastic life, celebrated liturgy well, loved the poor.
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                  February 27, 2015

                  Feb. 27

                  February 27, 2015:  Friday, 1st week of Lent



                  • 'Clock' tie bar: My soul waits for the Lord (psalm)

                    •
                  • 'Wood block' tie pin:  whoever calls his brother raqa (see below) will be held accountable (gospel)
                  • 'Scales of justice' tie:  Settle on the way to court, or you'll be handed over to the judge... (gospel)
                  • 'Penny' button:  If  you don't reconcile, you won't get out till you pay the last penny (gospel)
                  • Purple suspenders:  Lenten season
                  Listen

                  • Ez 18:21-28  If the wicked man turns away from sin and does what's right, he'll live because of the virtue he's practiced; I rejoice when he turns from evil and lives.  But if the virtuous man turns from virtue and does evil, he'll die.  You say, “Not fair!” but it's your ways that are unfair.
                    Wordle: Readings 2-27-15
                  • Ps 130:1-8  "If you, O Lord, mark iniquities, who can stand?"  Out of the depths I cry to you; hear me!  I trust and wait for you.  God is kind and forgiving and will redeem Israel. 
                  • Mt 5:20-26  Your righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and Pharisees.  It was said, Don't kill, but I say, Don't be angry.  Be reconciled with your brother.  Settle with your opponent or you'll be imprisoned.
                  Today's word
                  • Raqa (rēqā’ or rēqâ, Aramaic, from gospel):  probably 'blockhead' or 'imbecile,' a term of abuse.
                  Reflect
                    • Creighton:  Forgiving God, help us to forgive others who have hurt us or others.  Forgiveness includes “a new heart and spirit” leading us to healing, as we replace anger, resentment, or fear with reconciliation and acceptance.  God knows our hearts....
                    • One Bread One Body:  "Todaylight savings time":  "All's well that ends well," but waiting till the end for conversion is like waiting to marry on your deathbed:  no time to break up, but years of missed love.  "Now is the acceptable time!..."
                    • Passionist:  The Pharisees were socially just, observed the law, and were faithful to their rich heritage, but Jesus insists  his disciples must surpass their holiness....
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                    February 26, 2015

                    Feb. 26

                    February 26, 2015:  Thursday, 1st week of Lent



                    • 'Crown' tie bar:  Queen Esther (1st reading)
                    • 'Lion' pin:  "turn the lion's heart" (1st reading)
                    • 'Hand' tie pin:  I'm taking my life in my hand; save us from our enemies' hand (1st reading); your right hand saves me; don't forsake the work of your hands (psalm)
                    • 'Angel' pin:  In the sight of the angels I'll praise you (psalm)
                    • 'Phone' tie bar:  When I called, you answered (psalm)
                    • 'Kneeling person' tie bar:  Pray:  ask, seek, knock (gospel)
                    • 'Stone' tie pin:  Who'd hand his son a stone when he asked for bread...? (gospel) [oops, forgot 'wheat' pin for the bread]
                    • 'Snake' tie pin:  ...or a snake... (gospel)
                    • 'Fish' tie pin:  ...when he asked for a fish?  (gospel)
                    • Purple in shirt, tie, and suspenders:  Lenten season
                    Listen
                    • Est 4:12, 14-16, 23-25  Queen Esther, in anguish:  “God, help me, an orphan; I'm taking my life in my hand.  Give me persuasive words, and turn the lion's heart, so that he and his co-conspirators may perish. Save us from our enemies; turn our mourning into gladness.”
                    • Ps 138:1-3, 7-8  "Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me."  I'll praise you in the angels' presence.  God will complete what he's done for me.
                    • Mt 7:7-12  Ask, seek, and knock.  All who ask receive; all who seek find; to all who knock the door will be opened.  Your Father will give good things to all who ask!  Do to others what you'd have them do to you.
                    Reflect
                      • Creighton:  How can this gospel be true if God doesn't really give us what we ask for?  It's childish to think God doesn't care for us when he doesn't give us something we ask for that's not good for us.  May we look to the Father for all our needs and trust him.
                      • One Bread One Body:  "Forming an ask-force":  Jesus wants us to ask not because he won't give otherwise but because he wants us to communicate more.  Constantly ask, love, and live in Jesus.
                      • Passionist:  Queen Esther asked for God's help, but we have a hard time asking when we see ourselves as self-sufficient; asking suggests weakness and makes us uncomfortable.   It can be easier to serve, help, give, and love than be served, be helped, receive, and let ourselves be loved.  May we acknowledge our weakness and need and humbly ask for God’s help. 
                      • DailyScripture.net:  Esther's prayer is a model for us; she prayed for help according to God's promise of faithfulness.  God wants us to remember his promises and count on his help.
                      "Prayer is an all-efficient panoply, a treasure, a mine never exhausted, a sky unobstructed, a haven unruffled by storm. It's the root, fountain, and mother of a blessings.  It exceeds a monarch's power...  I speak not of prayer that's cold, feeble, and devoid of zeal but rather of what proceeds from a mind outstretched, a contrite spirit, a converted soul.  Prayer has subdued fire's strength, bridled lions' rage, silenced anarchy, extinguished wars, appeased the elements, expelled demons, burst chains of death, enlarged the gates of heaven, relieved diseases, averted frauds, rescued cities, stayed the sun in its course, and arrested the thunderbolt.  Prayer can destroy whatever is at enmity with the good." (St. John Chrysostom)
                      "Let me love you, my Lord and God, and see myself as I am:  a pilgrim, a Christian called to respect and love all whose lives I touch, those in authority over me or those under my authority, my friends and enemies.  Help me conquer anger with gentleness, greed by generosity, apathy by fervor.  Help me forget myself and reach out to others."  (attributed to Clement XI)
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                      February 25, 2015

                      Feb. 25

                      February 25, 2015:  Wednesday, 1st Week of Lent

                      • 'Whale' tie pin:  Jonah before the 1st reading
                      • 'Girl with heart' pin:  create a clean heart in me (psalm)
                      • 'Holy Spirit' chain:  don't take your Holy Spirit away (psalm)
                      • 'Signs' tie:  no 'sign' will be given but the sign of Jonah (gospel)
                      • 'Owl' tie pin:  Queen came to hear Solomon's wisdom (gospel)
                      • 'Beast' pin:  Nineveh king:  “Neither man nor beast shall eat or drink.”
                      • Purple suspenders:  Lenten season
                      Listen

                      Read
                      • Jon 3:1-10  Lord to Jonah:  “Set out for Nineveh, and prophesy.”  He began his journey, announcing, “40 days and Nineveh shall be destroyed”; they believed and proclaimed a fast.  The king rose, covered himself with sackcloth, sat in ashes, and proclaimed a fast: “Repent; God may relent and save us.”  God saw; he repented and didn't carry out the evil he'd threatened.
                        (Not this "sign of Jonah" :-)
                      • Ps 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19  "A heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn."  Have mercy on me.  Create a clean heart for me.
                      • Lk 11:29-32  “No sign will be given this evil generation but Jonah; the Son of Man will be a sign like Jonah.  At the judgment, the queen of the south who came to hear Solomon's wisdom will condemn this generation; at the judgment, repentant Nineveh will condemn this generation.  Something greater than Solomon and Jonah is here.”
                      God bless Ivette, Manny, and Santiago!
                      Reflect
                        • Creighton:  At Jonah's preaching, Nineveh's king and people turned from their evil ways.  Since the threat probably wasn't enough motivation, did he remind them of their freedom and the goodness and courage within them, and that God created, loved, and called them?  We believe we're fundamentally flawed, fear disapproval, and turn against ourselves in self-hatred, or against others in judgment and hostility. It's easy to recognize sin around us but hard to recognize the lies we believe about ourselves contribute to that sin.
                        • One Bread One Body:  "Connect the dots":  The Ninevites made the connection between their sins and the threatened destruction.  Wicked though they were, the prophecy reached them, and they repented.  Today our culture, and we ourselves, can miss the connection between sin and destruction.  We need to make the connection between our sinfulness and Jesus' mercy and forgiveness....
                        • Passionist:  "Another chance, another opportunity":  To Jonah's dislike, he was a sign of God’s mercy to the Ninevites, outsiders.  Ponder God's mercy and compassion, and show compassion for those who wrong us.
                        • DailyScripture.net:  The Ninevites recognized God's warning in Jonah's prophecy, and they repented.  The Queen of Sheba recognized God's wisdom in Solomon.  But the religious leaders weren't satisfied with the signs before their eyes:  John the Baptist, Simeon, and Jesus.  God will transform us if we listen and allow the Spirit to work in us.
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