Call and Repentance

Message from Fr. Jose Koluthara, CMI

Lord Jesus, help us repent and reform our lives so as to bring all the churches together to a new orientation. Amen.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters,

At the end of this week for Christian Unity, the readings invite our attention to two categories of missionaries. In the first reading (Jonah 3:1-5, 10), we get the picture of an unwilling missionary in the person of Jonah the prophet. In the gospel (Mk.1:14-20) we come across Simon, Andrew, James and John as ready-to-do missionaries. In which category do we classify us?

Though we may speak of prophet Jonah as an unwilling missionary who accepted his mission only after some powerful prompting and legendary marine adventure, if we were to look into the historical background, we would probably have sympathy for him and might see a reflection of our lesser selves in him. Jonah hated the Assyrians (Nineveh was their capital city) because of the cruelty of their evil doings. Assyria waged numerous military campaigns west of the Eupharates in order to search out and seize prized timber, minerals and new commercial opportunities. Those who would not submit to their advances were subjected to unspeakable acts of butchery. To ensure that their westward conquests would be permanent, the Assyrians engaged in the wholesale relocation of the conquered people. This had been the fate of Israel in 722 B.C. Is it any wonder that Jonah was revolted by the very thought of exercising a ministry on their behalf? Can’t we readily understand his desire to die rather than lift a finger or speak a word that might prove helpful to his enemies? As we join Jonah, allowing hostility toward the Assyrians, (and all such political bullies) to well up in our hearts, the sacred word offers us a surprising lesson. Even sinners as profligate as the Assyrians, can change and when they do, God forgives.

Called by God, missionaries of the good news of salvation are also empowered by God, and God who can make the weak strong, is the great guarantor of their mission. Considering our own missionary efforts in the service of the gospel, we will probably find ourselves somewhere in between the absolute refusal of Jonah and the rapid response of Peter, Andrew, James and John. Our challenge will lie in relying on God.