The readings this week are taken from the Book of Jonah. There is a prophet named Jonah in history but in all likelihood the book which bears his name was written several centuries after his time. It is something of a parable or novella with a moral. (There are no prophetic “thus says the Lord” sayings which is typical of canonical prophets.) The book begins with Jonah fleeing from the call of God. The book challenges us to examine where we are not heeding the word of God. Combine that lesson with the gospel story of the Good Samaritan and we can draw certain conclusions. First, we have a responsibility toward those who are hurting. The priest and the levite ignore the suffering around them. God calls us to care. Second, our compassion should move us to action. The Samaritan did something to help. God calls us in a similar way to extend ourselves in loving service to those in need. Third, caring for others costs us just as the Samaritan paid the innkeeper. God calls us to understand that what we have equips us to reach out to others. Jonah fled from the call of God. We are challenged to respond to God’s call to us to be people of love and compassion.
