PREACHING AND REPENTANCE
Jonah was an interesting character with an interesting story. A reluctant prophet when God asked him to prophesy, he foot-dragged, hemmed and hawed, protested and complained. But in the end, he obeyed and did what he was asked to do. Contrary to his expectations, the people over whom he had no control, repented.
Men simply want to be in control all the time. We get insecure and anxious if we can’t put a handle on things and events. We get rattled when we cannot predict the outcome. As a counselor, allow me to read into Jonah’s mind for a while. I should think that Jonah imagined the worst and initially refused to do God’s bidding because he could not really control the outcome of his preaching, or worse, he feared that the people would turn against him. Such a loss of control is not a very appealing prospect for men in general.
In the years I have been facilitating couple’s workshops and self-awareness modules for adults, it has always been the men who brush feelings aside when they begin to sense a loss of control. Oftentimes, sensing that they are about to be overwhelmed by their feelings, they get right back to thinking mode and declare themselves free from issues, anger or resentment, or that they have forgotten everything and forgiven everyone, and that they no longer have anything against the past or anyone from the past. Most who do so, go home with a sense of not having done what originally they have set out to do. They return home feeling incomplete and their time wasted.
But there is something that men do that can surprise even themselves. They can make a sudden turnaround for seemingly unexplainable reasons. Like Jonah did. He made an about-face. He preached metanoia but, without knowing it, he was the first to do what he asked people to do. He led by example. He literally turned around and did what God asked him to. And all it takes is a decision, never mind the feelings. What Jonah was asked to preach, he did. He repented! Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB
REFLECTION QUESTION: How well do you walk your talk?
May I always be true to my words, Lord. May my actions reveal that I am Your disciple.
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