From: Jim Hogan <>
>To: HOMILIES <>
>Subject: Homily - 3rd Sunday Ordinary B
>Date: Fri, 24 Jan 200317:25:23 -0700
Last Sunday, Mary Louise concluded her homily with a powerful reminder
>for all of us. God has given us a name. We are named "the Body of
>Christ!" *
>I presume all of us know the story of Jonah and the whale. I also
>presume many have not read the entire narrative even though it is only
>2 1/2 pages in length. Ordinarily my homilies develop the gospel text.
>However today I want to focus on the book of Jonah.
>To understand this book we need some background information like this.
>The city of Ninevah was the capital of Assyria. That nation had a
>reputation for evil that was rarely equaled in the annals of history.
>The Assyrians were a cruel, violent military power feared by all
>others. Those who would not submit to their advances were subjected to
>unspeakable acts of butchery.
>There is a significant contemporary connection to them and their land
>which 700 BC was known as Assyria. Today that land is known as
IRAQ! *
>Now let¹s consider the tale. Jonah is a fictional character portrayed
>as a typical Jewish person of his time. Jews of that era were
>convinced their own country, race and religion were superior to all
>others. Jonah was sure his people were God¹s chosen people and was
>disdainful of non-Jews who were simply labeled godless heathens
>Jonah was arrogant and a bigot. He hated foreigners, especially the
>Assyrians. That leads to the problem in the story. Jonah heard
>himself called by God sent not to his own people, but to a people he
>hated. Yahweh wants him to be the instrument of divine mercy to the
>Ninevites.
>Jonah rebels and tries to escape his call. He boards a ship to
>Tarshish.
>A
>hurricane threatens the ship and the sailors throw Jonah into the sea. A
>great fish swallows him and he remains in the belly of the fish for three
>days and three nights, begging for God to have mercy on him. The whale
>vomits Jonah onto dry land. Again Yahweh calls him to go to the people he
>hates. He obeys and his mission is successful. "This made Jonah
>indignant.
>He fell into a rage" and complains to Yahweh.
>The tale concludes with a clear statement about the mercy of God. The
>lesson is this -- even a nation, a people as evil, cruel and barbarian
>as the Assyrians can change! When they do, God forgives.
>"Kairos" is a Greek word for those unexpected moments when God breaks
>into our lives. Jonah¹s mission was a "kairos" moment for the
>Assyrians - an opportunity for significant change.
>In the very first chapter of his gospel, Mark describes a "kairos"
>experience. Jesus meets Peter and Andrew, then James and John. His
>invitation to them is unexpected! "Come, follow me!"
>Each was summoned to a radical decision and a dramatic shift in their
>lives.
>"Immediately they left their nets, (their boats, their father) and followed
>him."
>Like all good fiction, the Jonah tale is a mirror. The anonymous author
>intended that his peers see in Jonah a reflection of their lesser
>selves. Jonah was arrogant, prejudiced, self-righteousness, bigoted and
>violent.
>This tale invites us to look at and consider our own lives. In doing
>so I recognize many ways I have been arrogant! In Anaconda we knew
>kids in the Catholic school were "better" than the "publikers." As a
>young priest I was sent to graduate school here at the University. I
>politely let professors know that wearing a Roman collar meant I ought
>to be addressed as "Father." How about this? For many years I presumed
>that creation exists for the sake
>of we who are human beings.
>I look at our world today. I see Israel justify their own violence
>while calling someone else a "terrorist." Now we are doing the same.
>I see some Bishops scapegoat priests for the turmoil caused by
>pedophilia. I hear older people willing to send young people to war
>under the banner of patriotism. Arrogance burdens our spirit!
>"Come, follow me" is an invitation to be an instrument of God¹s mercy
>-- even to people we are told to hate! Jonah portrays our lesser self
our arrogance. Peter, Andrew, James and John portray our true self Christ in
>us. The Holy Spirit is breaking into our lives, pushing us be something
>new, something more than we think we want to be. You know this! I
>know
>it!
>We live in a "kairos" moment. That is why we are gathered here. We come to
>the Table of Eucharist so we be true to what we have been named "the Body
>of Christ."