Calm

Christ knew the story of Jonah – not only as God, but as a Jewish Man and Rabbi…

Jonah and the Whale (Magdalene Altar)

The Old Testament story of Jonah has always been an interesting one.  Like Noah and the Ark or Daniel in the Lion’s Den, or Ruth turning to a pillar of salt, there is something very fascinating when considering this sort of Old Testament story.  It seems too extreme, too archaic to have actually happened.  It feels almost allegorical, as though the composer was trying to paint a picture in a symbolic manner so that when people would see it, they would be able to interpret it and make decisions about it.

God asked Jonah to go and preach in the Godless city of Nineveh.  And Jonah thought to himself, no way, I am NOT going that way, I am going to turn around and go in the opposite direction.  And while on the boat travelling AWAY from God’s plan for him, Jonah was tossed from the boat and eaten by a giant fish.  He spent three days and nights inside that fish’s belly before being spat out.

That experience of Jonah was in fact a precursor of Christ’s burial in the tomb for three days and nights prior to His resurrection.  And Christ knew the story of Jonah – not only as God, but as a Jewish Man and Rabbi…

“When the crowds were increasing, he began to say, ‘This generation is an evil generation; it seeks a sign, but no sign shall be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For as Jonah became a sign to the men of Nineveh, so will the Son of man be to this generation...  The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, something greater than Jonah is here.’” (Luke 11:29-32).And I have been thinking of that story of Jonah.  For it seems that the more that God demands of us, the more He equips us to His purpose.  And that is significant because when someone first hears what God expects of them, they can be overwhelmed.  I certainly am.  When I consider the vocation of raising my children and consider some of the choices that I witness them making, I am quite overcome.  And yet, God gives me the strength to approach this calling each day.

Small things grow larger and over time and large things can grow smaller over time.  And that time is the gift that God provides to me so that when He calls me to do something I am able to do it.  Without that time, I would be unable to remain calm in the midst of danger.  I would be unable to face the burden of a calling on the first day, but I find that by the last step I have somehow managed to walk along the way.  And it is only when facing the challenge with calm that I can find myself equipped to deal with whatever God wishes me to deal with…

And I thank God for the Grace of that!

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.