In the story of Jonah we see God call him to go out to Nineveh to preach repentance. Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian empire. Assyria was know for its cruelty to enemies, especially an enemy of the Jewish people. Jonah balked at this request.
Imagine God asking a rabbi to go to Berlin during 1943 to warn the Nazis and Hitler that their city would be destroyed in three days if they didn’t repent of their sins. The sensible rabbi might head east into the Siberian plains instead of trying to make Hitler and the Nazi regime try to repent. Both from fear of their abuse if he did and that nagging question of revenge. Who wouldn’t want the punished for what they were doing to the Jewish people especially if you’re the rabbi?
As we know, God brought a great storm to Jonah and even had a great fish swallow him for spitting him out on a beach. Jonah broke down and wen to Nineveh to preach with great success. So much that the king sat in sackcloth and ashes, ordering all the people to follow suit and Nineveh was spared. Exactly what Jonah has hoped to avoid in the first place. That they avoided God’s judgment angered Jonah and he lashed out at God. God rebuked Jonah at the end of this story.
We are called as the Church Militant to go out into our own Nineveh and speak words of repentance to the people. We are called to tell those abortion seeking people of God’s justice and also of His mercy. He gives Mercy to every heart that cries out to Him, even the most evil soul.
I’ve had debates with others about mercy being shown even to someone as vile as Hitler. They argue God could answer should never forgive such evil. But, I contest that the Divine Mercy of God is limitless and we should never assume His justice and vengeance. What if Hitler or some other truly evil and despicable person were to find Heaven? Would you be offended to worship God at their side? I say no! If that occurs, we should praise the Lord’s mercy and love even more. I’m not saying these people will receive mercy, the first and primary thing to receive mercy is that one must ask. Could one so hardened and evil even ask? Maybe…the thief on the cross did (and received it).
Our nation and world are hinging on the brink of disaster. Evils of abortion and other sins run rampant and unchecked in society. Human hearts are drawn more to the evils of pornography and greed than to prayer and Mass. I’ve heard Christians comment, “they’ll get what’s coming”, “I hope God shows His wrath”, “they are doomed.” Our world and nation are Nineveh now. This is precisely the world into which we are called to walk. These are exactly the people to whom we are told by Jesus to preach mercy. This is the time God asks us to pray mercy on our misguided leaders and even the most hardened sinner (especially on these).
“Tell sinners that no one shall escape My Hand; if they run away from My Merciful Heart, they will fall into My Just Hands.” Divine Mercy in my soul # 1728
We can not in these times draw back within the ‘safe walls’ of our churches and hope God gets even with all they are doing. We can’t sit back and pray a flood to wipe away their sins. God asks, no, He demands of us to go out into this world and preach the good news of God’s mercy through words and through a shining holy example.
“My hand is reluctant to take hold of the sword of justice. Before the Day of Justice I am sending the Day of Mercy.” Divine Mercy in my soul # 1588
Someday soon, all souls will come to the judgment seat and face God’s justice. Some will be horribly shocked of God’s verdict. But, if one soul who deserves hell by his actions receives God’s mercy that would be great. Now imagine if that one soul falling before God’s mercy seat was there because of your words and deeds.
I praise God every day for the souls who bravely preached God’s word and love to me, I was “Nineveh” to whom God had pronounced His judgment. But, because of my wife and a few other great men, “God repented of the evil which He had said He would do to them and He did not do it.” Jonah 3:19
“It is mine to avenge” Deuteronomy 32:35. “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:19