In today's first reading from Jonah 3, we see a passage that may be confusing. We'll reflect on that in a moment. In our Gospel reading from Luke 10, we see the familiar story of Mary and Martha.
"When God saw by their actions how they turned from their evil way, he repented of the evil that he had threatened to do to them; he did not carry it out." There are two questions that arise from this passage. First, why would God repent? After all, repentance has to do with sin, right? Second, does God do evil?
To the first question, the word repent simply means to change one's mind. So by saying he repented, it means he changed his mind about punishing the Ninevehites, because of their repentance. Next, can God do evil? This is a matter of perspective. When God enacts justice on people, we may perceive that as evil. To us, punishment may seem like evil, especially when it is meted out to us. But justice should not be conflated with evil.
Father, may we, like the Ninevehites, change our ways, that we may experience your mercy. Amen.
Today is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. It's a great day to pray the Rosary!
0 comments