Monday, October 12 : Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger [Benedict XVI

The Ninevites believed the message of this Jew and did penance. To me, the conversion of the Ninevites is a truly surprising fact. How could they believe? I find no other answer than this: upon hearing Jonah’s preaching, they must have recognized that at least the verifiable part of the message was simply true—the city’s wickedness was grave. Thus, they understood that the other part was true as well: wickedness destroys a city. They grasped that conversion was, therefore, the only way to save the city… The messenger’s personal selflessness was the second element of Jonah’s credibility: he had come from afar to perform a service that exposed him to ridicule and from which he could certainly expect no personal gain. Rabbinic tradition adds yet another element: Jonah remained marked by the three days and three nights spent in the heart of the earth, “in the depths of the underworld” (Jonah 2:3). The traces of his experience of death remained visible and lent authenticity to his words. It is impossible not to ask oneself a question here. If a new Jonah were to come, would we believe? Would our cities believe? Even today, for great cities—for modern Ninevehs—God seeks messengers of penance. Do we possess the courage, the deep faith, and the credibility needed to touch hearts and open the doors to conversion?

Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team