Wednesday 11 October
Wednesday of week 27 in Ordinary Time Saint John XXIII, Pope First reading - Jonah 4:1-11 In this episode of the book of Jonah there is a big lesson to learn. A lesson which we must learn and to be part of our daily life. May be God has given me to learn this opportunity. When we enter into a real relationship with God, we change, we adapt, and we transform. This is what is more important. The change that is brought in our daily life. The most visible change happens in our relationship with others. We accept with joy every good thing that happens to others. The joy of others becomes our joy. This transformation happens in our relationship with God. Jonah was sad when God changed His decision to destroy Nineveh which is a good thing. But God makes a conversation with Jonah to make him understand the divine reality. This is the beauty of relationship with God. In a real relationship with God there is always this dialogue to understand the reality. Let’s reflect: Do I become part of dialogue with God in my relationship with God?
Tuesday 10 October
Tuesday of week 27 in Ordinary Time First reading - Jonah 3:1-10 “The news reached the king of Nineveh, who rose from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth and sat down in ashes”. This image of the king of Nineveh is very impressive. How the king reacts to the word of the Prophet. In his behavior, we see a real change. The Word of God had a sweeping effect in the life of the king. He rose from his throne, that means, he rose from his power, from his authority, from his supremacy because he embraced the power of the word of God, he embraced the power of the authority of the Word of God. Then took off his robe, that means, he left all his comforts, he ripped himself off his all his privileges because he wants to be comforted by the Word of God. Then he put on sackcloth. He recognized the need for the grace and mercy of God. He recognizes his vulnerabilities and his weaknesses. At the end, he sat down in ashes. Finally he recognized the destiny of all worldly pomp and glory which finishes in ashes. He recognized the eternity of the Word of God. The attitude and actions of the king of Nineveh is a model. Let’s reflect: Does my attitude and actions change with the Word of God?
Monday 9 October
Monday of week 27 in Ordinary Time Saints Denis, Bishop, and his Companions, Martyrs First reading - Jonah 1:1-2:1,11 There is a plan of God for each one of us. God explained His plan to Jonah. But Jonah was not ready to accept that plan. By not wanting to accept the plan of God for the people of Nineveh, Jonah is not accepting both the plan of God for the people of Nineveh and for himself. When we want to see the world through our own eyes and not through the eyes of the Lord, we not only see the world in the right way but also, we don’t see ourselves in the right way. By accepting the plan of God for others, we are accepting the plan of God for ourselves. This is what we can see in the story of the Jonah. Our plans end up in the darkness of the belly of the fish but the plan of God opens up the possibility of the third day on the shore to start again. Let’s reflect: Am I open to the plans of God and to see the world through the eyes of God’s plan?