By Friny Peter Ruwnglal, CSC –
Readings: Jon 3: 1-10, Lk 11: 29-32
Our country at present experiences chaos, violence, and death of Soldiers which in turn creates fear and insecurity in the minds and hearts of many ordinary people. Many condemn it as cruel and insensitive act. Such incidents awake the authorities or leaders of the country. Similarly, today’s scriptural readings give a glimpse of similar situations in the light of the story of the people of Nineveh and Prophet Jonah.
The king, after listening to the warning message from God through Jonah, called the entire kingdom to sincere repentance by putting on sackcloth, fasting, and prayer. Seeing their genuine repentance God decides to show his mercy. It tells me that God is ever forgiving and merciful to those who truly seek and turn to him. It calls me to sacrifice and give up comforts like that of the people of Nineveh and go into intense prayer and fasting during this season of Lent.
Therefore, it is an invitation for you and me to bring about conversion as individuals and members of the community. It is not as individuals alone that we can bring about solutions to the evil taking place, but as a community of believers together striving towards bringing meaning and purpose in the lives of people. It is a challenge to become a sign of God’s love created in all goodness and in love, with a heart to forgive, accept and acknowledge one’s unworthiness to God. Moreover, it is a call to giving meaning and making a difference in the community.