SAINT FRANCES OF ROME, RELIGIOUS (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

Every man shall turn from his evil way. 

Imagine if the story of Jonah were to happen today. You could picture the prophet standing on a busy street corner preaching repentance, and instead of everyone ignoring him, people would actually listen! Everyone would express sorrow for their sins and turn back to God.

Hard to envision, right? With all the sin in the world, it would be a miracle to see so many people coming together to seek the Lord’s mercy. It might be easier to imagine God parting the Red Sea or silencing a hurricane!

But in a sense, we do see a miracle like Nineveh take place every Sunday. Simply by entering the doors of their churches, millions of people are responding to Jesus’ call to “repent, and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). Deep down, everyone is looking for an encounter with the Lord and an opportunity to escape the sin that drags them down. Even if it’s just for an hour, they are searching for something greater than themselves and a sense of peace that the world cannot give. They’re looking for the peace of Christ.

Jesus once promised that the “gates of the netherworld” will never prevail against the Church (Matthew 16:18). It’s true that the Church has faced hostility and violence at many points in history. It’s also true that the Church has seen its fair share of scandals. And yet despite all the forces arrayed against and within it, the Church continues to be a place where Jesus heals, converts, comforts, and transforms those who come seeking his presence.

So if you feel discouraged by the lack of faith around you—or within you—take heart. If God can use Jonah to convert an entire city, imagine what is possible through Jesus and his Church.

Remember too that you are part of the Church. Your prayers, your acts of love, your sharing of your faith—they make a difference, even if you can’t see it. They never go without God’s grace. As more and more people come together, that grace can flow even more powerfully. We should never underestimate God’s ability to use us to help people “turn from [their] evil way” (Jonah 3:8)!

“Father, let your grace flow through me and through your body, the Church.”

Psalm 51:3-4, 12-13, 18-19
Luke 11:29-32
Jonah 3:1-10