Lectionary Texts for January 22, the Third Sunday of Epiphany
Something striking to me about the Jonah passage is that the city is three days' walk across--would this be the size of Chicago? Or even bigger? Regardless, the city is huge and I can't blame Jonah for being reluctant and terrified. Imagine walking across a city that size with only your voice to proclaim the message God has given you--no mass media like we know it today to publicize it, no billboards to rent, no television stations to co-opt. What is an individual to do with a calling as ridiculous as this?
But, covered in whale mucus and shocked out of his denial, Jonah changes. And then the city of Ninevah changes. And then God changes his mind. In fact, a common theme in all three of today's passages is the change that occurs naturally when we're in relationship with one another and with God. God is not static and we, as image-bearers, are not static either. And when we're open to change, when we hold so loosely to the past that we can freely regret the sins that tell the tale of who we used to be, God's grace is there waiting to transform us into something better than we were. The angels' assurance still echoes from the Christmas season: "Do not be afraid." Do not be afraid for everything that exists within the reality of a living God is changing all of the time and the news, believe it or not, is all good!
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