Salvation more than Human Ego(REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 27TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME 11TH OCTOBER 2023

REFLECTION/HOMILY FOR WEDNESDAY OF THE 27TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME 11TH OCTOBER 2023

Jonah 4:1-11; Ps.86; Luke 11:1-4

Salvation more than Human Ego!

Jonah has finished preaching the message of repentance in Nineveh. He has told them that in thirty days, the land will be destroyed for their sinfulness. Obviously, thirty days has passed and the land of Nineveh was not destroyed. This outcome did not surprise Jonah; only that he lamented that, knowing fully well that God is merciful, that was why he never wanted to preach such message. Jonah was not happy because, for him, he looked like a liar who has said something that never came to pass. For Jonah, this experience hampered on his credibility as a prophet and as a person; next time, people may not take him serious; they will make reference to his prophetic ministry in Nineveh that never came to pass.

But the fact is that Jonah’s thought tailored along this path because he was more concerned about his ego than about the salvation of souls. Oftentimes, our personality influences our thought pattern; who we are affects how we see and understand the world around us. Jonah was clearly one who thought too highly of himself. He would sacrifice anything for his self-image. He was one who cared so much about what others think of him. He would better do that which will bring him cheap popularity than what is actually right to do. He was someone who was never open to the changes made by others; but sticks to first impression.

Sometimes we too are Jonah in our actions and inactions. We do not give others the opportunity to grow or make amends. We do not believe in the sincerity of the efforts others are making. The attitude of Jonah makes us so judgmental about others. Beloved, the Lord invites us to perceive one another with a lens of mercy. Change is constant and everyone does change. The salvation of others is more important than the human ego. No matter what your experiences may have been in the past, never become so hardened that you no longer listen to apologies.

In the gospel, Jesus obliged the disciples who asked that he teaches them how to pray. In the prayer class, Jesus noted that God will forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. This is a reminder that we are as weak, fragile and sometimes unrepentant like those we condemn. God’s wrath comes upon sinners; but his mercy is ever available to the repentant. Let us go and do likewise.