This Sunday we’ll encounter another prophet as we return to Jonah’s story – a real whale of a tale. Bad puns aside, we’ll witness a prophet who, despite himself, is swept up in God’s boundless mercy. After running from his call and reluctantly preaching to Nineveh, Jonah is angered when God spares the city.
Jonah’s frustration echoes our own struggles when God’s compassion extends to those we may find difficult to forgive. As Anne Lamott writes, “You can safely assume you’ve created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.” Jonah wanted justice on his terms, but God’s love knows no limits or exclusions.
This week, we’re reminded that God’s generosity isn’t about “deserving”; it’s about transforming lives through mercy and second chances. Just as God was patient with Jonah, God is patient with us, leading us to release judgment and embrace grace.
Take time today to consider where you may be holding back forgiveness or love. How can you, like God, offer the gift of a second chance? As we support one another in this journey of faith let’s remember that our call is to embody God’s mercy, trusting that generosity can soften even the hardest hearts.
May God’s peace find you today. -Pastor Peter
Let’s pray… God of boundless mercy, help us to extend your generous grace, offering forgiveness and compassion to others, as you have so freely given to us. Amen.