October 12. SEE.  Jonah’s story. When she sat down and thought about it Antonette realised that there is a bit of Jonah in all of us. “The story tells of a Jew sent by God to people to call them to repent. He didn’t want them to repent, but to be punished.  Yes, after running away from God, he did eventually go and preach to the wicked and brutal people of Nineveh and they did repent, but his initial response was, ‘No way, these wicked people should be punished.’   How often do we not think like this today and have we heard people say things like, “He should rot in hell for what he has done to that innocent girl.” The brutal reality of war and terrorism today is very much like the time of Nineveh and still happens in the Middle East, Gaza, Sudan, Africa and elsewhere. But God loves all people & wants them to be saved. Jonah eventually repented of his own negative attitude and agreed that God can forgive and show mercy to anyone who repents. Are we like that too?”

JUDGE.  Reflect, share, Scripture.  The men of Nineveh will arise at the judgement with this generation and condemn it for they repented at the preaching of Jonah. Luke 11:29-32.  Pope Francis:  Mercy is not only the working of the Father; it becomes a criterion for knowing who his true children are. AL 310.   Pope Leo: The poorest of the poor are not only objects of our compassion but teachers of the gospel.  It is not a question of bringing God to them, but of encountering him among them. These examples teach us that serving the poor is not a gesture from above, but an encounter between equals.  DT 79. 

Daily Prayer for Mission Month October, Year of St Francis and upcoming Local Elections in SA.     Heavenly Father, during this Mission month, we praise and thank you for the gift of your love and the riches of your creation. As missionary disciples we answer your call to walk in the way of peace.  We lift up to you all leaders of nations. Grant them an open heart and a listening ear to hear the cries of the poor and the needy. Bless all missionaries, protect them from harm, strengthen their hearts in times of trial, and fill them with the joy of your Spirit. As we prepare for the elections and a renewal of society for the common good we acknowledge our shortcomings and faults. We hear the needs that call for help to build a united country under God, as a family of all the families of creation.  Mary, Mother of the Church and of the Rosary pray for us. St Francis, our model and patron saint of all of creation pray for us. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen