Jonah refused to go to the Ninevites and tell them to repent (Jon 1:2ff). When he refused to do God's will, he could not stay where he was; instead, he felt compelled to flee (Jon 1:3). In his flight, Jonah caused a "furious tempest" (Jon 1:4). Next, he was thrown into the sea and swallowed by a large fish, in whose belly he remained for "three days and three nights" (Jon 1:15–2:1). Then Jonah was regurgitated onto the shore (Jon 2:11).
If we say "no" to living with God, we begin living hell. We separate ourselves from God and turn our lives into "a violent wind" and "furious tempest" (Jon 1:4). If we refuse to do God's will, we will feel as if we are drowning and swallowed alive by circumstances beyond our control. In our sin, we live in a cavernous darkness, and like a dog we return to our vomit (see 2 Pt 2:22) until we are thrown up.
"The Lord, indeed, knows how to...continue the punishment of the wicked up to the day of judgment" (2 Pt 2:9). A life of selfishness, disobedience, and sin has its pleasures but also its horrors – not only after death but also before death. Live the only good life. Give yourself to Jesus, "the Way, and the Truth, and the Life" (Jn 14:6).
| PRAYER: | Father, may I repent and do penance. |
| PROMISE: | "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." –Lk 10:27 |
| PRAISE: | St. Denis evangelized the Franks. In return, he was martyred with his companions Fr. Rusticus and deacon Eleutherius. |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College