The Catholic Calendar for Monday, October 6, 2003
Twenty-seventh week Ordinary Time
St. Bruno, priest
Blessed Marie-Rose Durocher, virgin

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Jonah 1:1--2:1,11
Jonah 2:2-5,8
Luke 10:25-37

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Today's first reading is from the Book of Jonah - a book written in parable form in order to teach important religious lessons. It's the familiar story of Jonah and the whale.

What is less remembered, is that Jonah was asked by the Lord to go to Nineveh and preach to them about their wickedness. He didn't want to go and so fled by sea in the opposite direction.

As recounted in the story, a great storm arose. When the ship's crew discovered that Jonah was running in disobedience from God's command, they threw him into the sea. We are told that the storm abated and that Jonah was swallowed by a great fish.

It seems a fanciful story, yet one that demonstrates quite vividly the truth about our response to what God asks of us. Often we run away, trying to flee the voice which calls us to do what often seems so difficult; we do instead what we desire, thinking we know a better way.

The best part of the story is that we are reminded that we are creature and that God is the Creator. He know us and when He asks us to do something, He knows we are capable and that in being obedient we will in the end succeed.

Let us then, in difficult times remember that we are the beloved creatures of a loving God who desires only that we live and not perish. Let us with trusting hearts and obedient spirits seek to do all that God wills.

- Donna Raye Nelson, ocds

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posted by joachim at 4:53 AM