A Command: Go and Do Likewise
Today, our first reading is about the call of Jonah. Jonah was called by God to go to Nineveh in order to preach to the people. But Jonah was very reluctant to go. He refused to answer God call to be a missionary to the people of Nineveh. Rather, he decided to flee from the Lord and from the mission.
But who can flee from the Lord?
God in his mercy sent an animal, a fish, to bring Jonah back as he tried to run away. Jonah tried to escape. The fish became God’s messenger. The first rescue Jonah and brought Jonah back for the mission he was asked to undertake for the Lord. Jonah later repented of his bad actions and behavior as he disobeyed God. As last he followed God’s instruction for the ministry to the Ninevites.
The contrary was the message of Gospel regarding the ministry of an unnamed Samaritan. This Samaritan was known for his work of mercy; hence, a good Samaritan. The Samaritan without been asked by anyone offered a tremendous assistance to a man, a stranger (presumably who was a Jew), a robber’s victim. He preached the Gospel with kindness and compassion. Today, Jonah has become the Gospel. We remember the saying “treat everyone you meet with kindness, “You may be the only gospel that someone will hear”.
Like this Samaritan, Jesus asked you and I to stepped outside the comfort of our culture and societal expectation, to become a disciple, a missionary, for the sake of God.
The good Samaritan’s action is an indication of how compassion can overcome significant cultural barriers through the actions of a good soul.
Let us look for occasion during this week to be a “good Samaritan” to someone else.
Hence the command “Go and Do Likewise”
Have a wonderful Week
