Do Not Give Up On Yourself.

Homily for Wednesday 13^th March 2019

_“Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them. Then tidings reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, and covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.” *(Jonah 3:4-6)*_

The entire book of Jonah is a story of God’s unending faith in humanity. God could have simply destroyed the Ninevites but he gave them a second chance by sending Jonah to them. Jonah himself tried to escape from God but through very mysterious circumstances, God caught him, brought him back and gave him another chance.

It beats my mind that Jonah didn’t even ask them to repent. He didn’t say “change your evil ways. Be good children of God. Stop sinning, etc.” Jonah just went about the city announcing doom and destruction.

It was a hopeless situation for the people but they refused to resign themselves to FATE. They instinctively knew that despite whatever their past had been, what matters to God is “right now.” They heard the message of doom but believed in their hearts that there was still hope.

Dear friends, what is it about the spiritual life that makes you conclude you can no longer make heaven? Let the people of Nineveh inspire you today. It is never too late to change. It is never too late to ask for God’s mercy or to repent from sin.

Unlike the Ninevites who quickly repented without even demanding a sign from Jonah, the people of Jesus’ time were asking for signs. Do you need a sign from God to repent? Do not give up on yourself.

Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, change me completely from inside out. Amen.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Wednesday of the 1^st Week of Lent. Bible Study: Jonah 3:1-10, Psalm 51 and Luke 11:29-32).