The prophet who was angry that God forgave

A whole violent city repents at one sermon, and the preacher sits outside the walls furious.

Jonah ran from the call to preach in Nineveh because he suspected what would happen. When he finally went, the city fasted, from the king down to the cattle, and God spared it.

Jonah told God the reason he had fled: he knew God was gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. God grew a plant to shade him, then let it wither, and Jonah grieved for the plant.

The book ends with a question God puts to Jonah, and to every reader. Should God not pity a city of a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left?

The Church reads Jonah at the start of Lent. The mercy we resent for our enemies is the mercy we are living on. Pray by name for the person or group you would least like God to forgive.

Lord, You are gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love. Forgive me for resenting Your mercy toward others. Teach me to pity what You pity. Amen.