Proper 20
Jonah

Jonah 2:8-9, “Those who worship false gods turn their backs on all God’s mercies. But I will offer sacrifices to You with songs of praise, and I will fulfill all my vows. For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.”

Few of us in the church today would admit to holding prejudice in our hearts. I would hope that would be true. More rampant than intolerance, however, is the dogged pursuit of our work and persistent schedule. We clamor for activity! Somewhere in the midst of our frantic pace are people. People that need to be seen as our Savior sees them. People that need to be heard and touched and remembered and personally loved.

Jonah wasn’t busy when God called. Jonah wasn’t ignoring the Ninevites. He hated them. He got busy when he didn’t like God’s assignment! He found plenty to do and see when his loathing was challenged by God’s loving. God didn’t move onto the next prophet. He stuck with Jonah. He stuck with the Ninevites. God went to extraordinary measures to extend love and forgiveness. Jonah found out anew that salvation for him and salvation for the world comes from God alone.

We shudder when we consider the volumes of slime and smell Jonah encountered inside the amenable, obedient fish. Cramped quarters and claustrophobia combined to move Jonah away from animosity to obedience. God’s love should move us too . . . not away from God, but close to people.

Let’s pray: “Lord, protect us from worshiping the false gods of superiority and blindness. Help us all remain at the altar of Your merciful compassion, so our sacrifices are offered to You and not to pride. Give us eyes like yours Lord, so we see who it is You love and who it is You have called us to love today. Prevent us from becoming so enmeshed in our assignments or drifting away from Your grace that we forget, ignore or run from Your call. Our salvation comes not from our country, culture or kindred. Our salvation comes from You Lord alone. We thank you for it Jesus, Amen.”