October 9, 2017 Monday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time-A

Jonah 1:1-2:2, 11

Psalm Jonah 2:3-5, 8

Luke 10:25-37

From the belly of the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord, his God.  Jonah 2:1

“And who is my neighbor?” Lk. 10:29

Lord, who am I in the story of Jonah and the Good Samaritan?  Am I Jonah who turned and ran from your will?  Am I the scholar of the law, Levite, priest, robber’s victim or Good Samaritan?  In any case, I am a beneficiary of your grace.  You made things tough for Jonah until he came to realize that he best cooperate with your will.  You tested the lawyer’s faith by making a Samaritan, the hated enemy of Jews, the hero in your parable.  But what about the guy who was beat up and robbed?  He didn’t pray for help.  He didn’t have a choice in the matter.  He could only lie there, bleed and die.  Yet you saved him by sending an unlikely agent of healing and grace.  Lord, you see me in the belly of a fish and along the roadside bleeding.  Out of compassion and love you cover me with your grace whether I ask for it or not.  I am not in charge.  I cannot control you or the avenues of your grace.  Thank you for your healing and loving protection.  Amen