Today's first reading is taken from that wonderful book of the Old Testament, Jonah.  In the New Jerusalem Bible translation the entire book is about three pages long.  It is a parable about a reluctant prophet.  The story tells us a great deal about human nature, the nature of God's call, and God's forgiveness.  Unfortunately we only get a little taste of the story in today's reading.  If you have an opportunity this week, read the story in its entirety.
    God tells Jonah, "Up, go to Nineveh!"  Instead, Jonah books passage on a ship headed in the opposite direction. Most of us remember the story of a great storm at sea.  The terrified sailors drew lots to determine who was responsible for so terrible a storm.  When the lot fell to Jonah, he instructed them to cast him into the sea.  They reluctantly followed his instructions.  God sent a great fish to swallow Jonah and for three days and nights he remained in the belly of the fish.  Finally the fish spewed Jonah forth on the shore of Nineveh and the reluctant prophet began his mission to preach repentance in that great city.
    The fish story alone would have made an interesting parable about how people respond to God's call.  But the story goes on!  After only one day of preaching, the entire city repented of its evil ways and so God relented of the punishment he had planned for the city.  Then Jonah was really upset.  "See, I told you this was going to happen," Jonah said.  "You are too compassionate."  Jonah would have preferred to witness the destruction of the whole city rather than to witness its salvation.     
    Why was Jonah so upset?  Was it because he didn't want to look like a false prophet?  Was it because he hated Ninevites?  Or was it simply that Jonah did not want his comfortable life disturbed for the sake of a mission?
    What really grips me about the story is that Jonah knew so clearly what God wanted and still he went in the opposite direction.  How often in my life I have heard God say, "Do this!"  But I don't want to do it.  We all have our own plans.  I need to do this or that first; then I can do what you want, Lord.
    When Jonah was swallowed up by the fish, it was a symbol of death.  God gave Jonah a mission, Jonah refused it, and then he died.  But God gave Jonah a second chance, just as he planned to do for the Ninevites.  Even after this wonderful second chance Jonah remained stubbornly opposed to God's salvation for the people of Nineveh.  One has to wonder, will Jonah be reconciled to the Lord before he runs out of chances himself?  Will we?