Readings of the day: Jonah 3:1-10; Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19; Luke 11:29-32
This homily was given at Bethany House, Rochester, NY, a shelter for homeless women and children.
This homily was given at Bethany House, Rochester, NY, a shelter for homeless women and children.
What is the “sign of Jonah” of which
Jesus speaks in our reading today from Luke’s Gospel? What or, better yet, who
is the “something greater than Solomon here”? The “sign of Jonah”; the “something”
or somebody greater than King Solomon in all his wisdom is Jesus Christ, our
Savior, the Son of God.
We know this. But how well do we really
recognize Jesus as “sign of Jonah”; as all that wise Solomon was and more? This
is Jesus Christ who calls us to repentance; to renewal. And yet here we stand,
in one of the poorest neighborhoods in one of the poorest cities in these
United States. This is a scandal that cries out to us, “Repent,” much as Jonah
and Jesus once cried, “Repent! Turn your hearts to God! Believe in the Gospel”!
Today’s Gospel reading has always
troubled me. I stand before us here at Bethany House, never having suffered
from substance abuse and addiction; never having been homeless, let alone in
this frigid climate; never having been a refugee or forced migrant.
I recently read a reflection from the
Jesuits at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska on today’s Gospel reading,[1]
which always evokes in me a deep sorrow for how some people suffer
unnecessarily, while others stockpile goods with greed. Even so, the reflection
I read seemed somewhat cynical to me at first. It spoke of how Jonah’s
preaching, with “the threat of total destruction” of Nineveh, was enough “motivation”
for them to repent immediately; to proclaim “a fast” and “put on sackcloth,” in
the words of our first reading.
And then the same reflection spoke of our
society: Today “the threat of the approaching end times, or any threat of
catastrophe, doesn’t seem to change minds and hearts. These threats only
increase the numbers of ‘preppers’‒ folks who are stockpiling supplies,
food and water, and preparing for self-sufficiency.”
Is this our society, beyond a greedy few
that, yes, are the “preppers”? I would like to hope not. But, if not, why the grinding
poverty we see around us; right here in this nation; in this city? Why the high
and rising number of working poor? I realize that I do not speak to most if any
of us here. I speak to those who oppress by greed; who stockpile resources
beyond what is necessary to live comfortably. I speak to my own heart; I
examine my own conscience. One “prepper” is too many!
But where is the good news in all this?
The good news is that it is not too late to repent. It is not too late to turn
to God and away from sin wholeheartedly. It is not too late to seek help if we
are mired in addiction or otherwise not helping ourselves to grow and nurture mind,
body, and spirit. It is not too late for those who have stockpiled and not
helped those in need. It is not too late to welcome. Here at Bethany House, we
find welcome: One another’s welcome; God’s welcome. It is a welcome that, I
pray, is transforming us; is renewing us. It is the welcome of Jesus Christ,
the “sign of Jonah,” or the sign of Solomon, and greater still.
[1] Diane Jorgensen. “Daily
Reflection: February 25, 2015.” http://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/022515.html.
Accessed 24 February 2015.
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