“A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.”— (Psalm 51)
 
    The back story of Jonah is that God called him a while ago to be a prophet among the Ninevites. Knowing that the Ninevites are enemies of the Israelites, Jonah does not want to step foot in their territory. He is not taking on the enemy. After battling storms and being locked-up within a whale, Jonah relents and travels through the city of Nineveh to preach repentance to the King and the people. He has taken on his role as prophet. The Ninevites respond positively.

   Like Jonah we, too, are prophets.  We may have forgotten that when we were baptized, we were sealed with the ministry of a prophet. Since we are reading about Jonah today, let us reflect on what our baptism call to be prophet means to each of us now. First of all, a prophet witnesses to the people about the things of God and intercedes with God about the needs of the people.

    When we survey all that is transpiring within our own country, as well as throughout our world, we are definitely called to live our prophetic role. Whenever we read about any of the prophets, we say that they have a close connection to God through their prayer. They try to live the two great commandments of love for God and for others. The prophets of the Hebrew Scriptures relate to God in their own personal way. Any relationship with God extends to understanding, respecting, and sharing with people.

    Although we live in another continent, we can’t be nonchalant about the unjust suffering of the people in the Ukraine. Through our prayer, money, and clothing donations, as peacemakers we can help people. We can extend that peacemaking to our own family and town.

    Scientists are discovering more and more devastating effects of climate change. The prophet doesn’t take an “oh, well” attitude toward this problem. No, the prophet takes a specific stand with a specific action to slow down the earth’s devastating future.

    In the gospel reading today, Jesus is exasperated with the people in the conversation. He is inviting all of us to change our lives so that we also live the two great commandments. The people—especially the leaders—want physical miracles and signs. In another part of the gospel, Jesus fleshes out the way we ought to live. He teaches that the love of God and neighbor does not rest in miracles. He counsels us not to pile up riches; instead, give to those less fortunate that ourselves. Jesus asks us to be peaceful with each other. So, we examine ourselves. How do we stand up and support the Asians, people of color, the Jewish people? All are continually being harassed in our country because of their origins.

    If we could sit down with the king of Nineveh and ask how his people will live out their days in sackcloth and ashes, would their response be to care for their people and their land? Fasting and abstaining in themselves are merely physical exercises. However, like Jesus, we fast and abstain to deepen our relationship with God and become more aware of our and other people’s needs. If this awareness leads us to acting beneficently for the good of others, then we fast from the unnecessary in our lives and abstain from what it is not good.

    Jesus also tells us that the queen of the south came to see Solomon…..As we proceed during Lent, whom are we going to see?