“I knew that you are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger, rich in clemency, loath to punish.” Jonah said these words not in an exclamation of joy but of exasperation. Although Jonah preached that the people of Nineveh would be destroyed because of their wicked ways, when they all repented, God did not destroy the city but forgave them all.

Jonah wanted God to enact his vengeance on them and to destroy the city. I am glad that we will not be judged by Jonah or any man at the last day but instead by God, who as Jonah and the Psalmist say is a merciful and gracious God (cf. Psalm 86). God shows Jonah the same mercy that he showed Job in his willingness to come close to dialogue with him.

God brought up how upset Jonah got with the death of the plant that only provided him shade for a day was gone. God then masterfully shifted to how much more he should care for the many citizens of Nineveh, not to mention all the animals. Perspective is important.

Just a few weeks ago we heard about how James and John wanted to call down fire on the Samaritans who refused Jesus’ hospitality and Jesus rebuked them.

In today’s gospel, one of his disciples asks Jesus to teach them how to pray, and Jesus offers a continuation of the lesson God was teaching Jonah: “forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us” (Luke 11:4).

Luke’s translation is a bit different than Matthew’s version that we are used to reciting. God is a merciful and gracious God. He loves us more than we can ever mess up nor does not define us by our sins. God loves us as we are right now at this moment. Was Jonah willing to be to be loved by God and change his heart toward the Ninevites? We do know that John was willing to do so for the Samaritans.

For the one who wanted to call down fire on a Samaritan town would later write in his letter, “We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him” (I John 16).

The best way to remain in God’s love is to forgive.

Are we willing to ask our gracious, merciful, and loving God for forgiveness and be transformed by his love? Are we willing to forgive as he forgives us?

Photo: The light, love, and forgiveness of Jesus keeps us on the path to holiness. St. Vincent De Paul Regional Seminary, Boynton Beach, FL.

Link for the Mass readings for Wednesday, October 11, 2023