Daily Catholic Lectio. Wed, 12 March ‘25. Greater than Jonah

Daily Catholic Lectio

Wed, 12 March ‘25

First Week of Lent – Wednesday

Jonah 3:1-10. Psalm 51. Luke 11:29-32

Greater than Jonah

A central figure in both of today’s readings is Jonah. In Hebrew, the name Jonah means ‘dove.’ Many rabbinic scholars consider the Book of Jonah not as a prophetic book but as a Midrash-style narrative (a teaching story), since Jonah is a metaphor for the people of Israel.

The Book of Jonah revolves around three main characters: (a) The people of Nineveh; (b) God; and (c) Jonah

At the beginning of the book: (a) The Ninevites are sinners; (b) God is angry; and (c) Jonah hesitates. But, at the end of the book: (a) The Ninevites repent; (b) God shows mercy; and (c) Jonah gets angry at God!

Nineveh was the capital of Assyria—the empire that conquered northern Israel in 722-721 BC. The Israelites hated the Assyrians because of their cruelty. This is why Jonah initially ran away when God sent him to preach repentance in Nineveh. Jonah’s hesitation reflects Israel’s own resentment and prejudice against their enemies. However, God’s approach is different.

The people of Israel learn three lessons from Jonah’s story: (a) Compassion, not anger, brings transformation; (b) God’s ways are beyond human understanding; and (c) Evil is not always defeated—sometimes, we must learn to live with it

Jesus as Greater than Jonah

In today’s gospel reading, Jesus rebukes the people of His time for demanding a sign.

Instead of a sign, He offers two examples: Solomon and Jonah.

Both Solomon and Jonah influenced their people: Solomon with wisdom; Jonah with preaching. But Jesus is greater than both! He is God’s wisdom itself. He not only preaches but also heals and saves. The people of Nineveh repented when Jonah preached. The Queen of the South travelled far to listen to Solomon. But Jesus’ own generation refused to believe in Him—despite His miracles and teachings. 

Jesus wants a deeper conversion

Jonah initially ran away from his mission. Jesus embraced His mission from the beginning. Jonah preached reluctantly – walking through Nineveh with minimal effort. Jesus preached tirelessly, with deep love and conviction. Jonah’s message was negative: “Nineveh will be destroyed!” Jesus’ message was life-giving: “Repent and believe in the Good News!” Jesus is truly greater than Jonah—yet, many failed to recognize Him.

Two questions for us today

(a) Is my faith still dependent on signs and miracles?

(b) How do I recognise and respond to Jesus, the One greater than Jonah and Solomon?

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy