Wednesday of the First Week of Lent

Readings of the Day

Today the Church directs its focus to the story of Jonah and the Ninevites. A look at the reaction of the people of Nineveh to the Lord’s threat to destroy them might be worthwhile.

I’m struck by how quickly they responded to Jonah’s message of warning. They were serious about repentance and, although Nineveh was a huge city, their reaction was that of a tight community. With all of them joining in with fasting and penance from the king on down, they drew strength from one another and succeeded in earning the Lord’s mercy.

Many of us have been blessed to belong to a parish with a strong sense of community from which to gather encouragement. Worshipping, performing good works, and socializing with others who share our values can provide us with a strength to stay on a righteous path and live in such a way as to glorify God with our actions.

Another such association in our lives is our Catholic Charities community of committed servants of the Lord. Our shared goal of building God’s kingdom on earth through service to the most vulnerable in our midst unites us, encourages us and strengthens us. It allows us to provide that synergistic effect that makes our agencies able to serve the millions of those who knock at our door. We are not alone – we are the Body of Christ – and there is lots of incentive to stay on track with committed people by our side, running the race with us.  

Jim Wogan is Volunteer Coordinator with Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Chicago.

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