Second Chances

A Reflection on the First Reading for January 24th, 2021:
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

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Jonah
3.1-5, 10

The word of the Lord came to Jonah, saying, “Get up, go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to it the message that I tell you.” So Jonah set out and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the Lord.

Now Nineveh was an exceedingly large city, a three days’ walk across. Jonah began to go into the city, going a day’s walk. And he cried out, “Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!”

And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.
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Pause. Pray.

And then read more...

At first, I was impressed at how obedient Jonah was when God told him to travel a great distance to a large city and proclaim God’s message. I long to be that obedient! I crave the fortitude and bravery that I believe it takes to follow Him boldly and openly; the courage I think it takes to proclaim His message everywhere I go. Just like Jonah seems to do in this reading.


What I was missing though, was the context. This was not the first time the Lord had called Jonah. In fact, the first time He called, Jonah ran from the presence of the Lord (Jonah 1:3). He boarded a ship which was hit by a great storm causing those aboard that ship to cast lots to see if that would reveal who was responsible for this wicked storm. When they found it to be because of Jonah’s presence onboard, he told them to throw him into the sea, which they eventually did, and he was swallowed by a great fish. And when the Lord calmed the storm, this group of people who had previously been praying to other gods, made vows to the Lord — they converted! And from the belly of that fish, Jonah vowed to be obedient.


So that led me to believe that the second time the Lord called Jonah to travel to that great city and proclaim His message, Jonah took off willingly, fully equipped, and prepared to testify to the Lord’s saving grace. However, did Jonah actually proclaim the full message the Lord gave? When he arrived at Nineveh, Jonah proclaimed a message, but not the message of salvation. Despite the fact that God gave him a second chance, he didn’t share His full message with the residents of Nineveh. He left out, “I am a God of second chances”.


How many times has God given me second, and third (and fortieth) chances, despite my wilfulness? I often picture God gazing lovingly at me, perhaps shaking His head just a bit, and thinking, “Oh dear, here she goes again.” How many times have I missed the opportunity to share His saving love with another? How many times has my own pride and fear of being judged gotten in the way of His plan for someone?


Lord, open my ears and prepare my heart to truly hear Your voice. Unleash the power of Your Holy Spirit in me, and let me cooperate fully in carrying Your message of love and salvation to those You have placed on my path today, so that others may see You as fully alive and present in today’s world. ​




Sandy Graves

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