By Kristine Schroeder
Lessons Learned
“What calls for all our efforts in this life is the healing of the eyes of our hearts, with which God is to be seen.” — St. Augustine
There are certain characters in the Bible to which I have an affinity. Peter ranks as one of the top. He is so relatably human, often acting and speaking before his brain catches up. However, this spontaneity also demonstrates his ability to discern truth quickly. When Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” Peter proclaims without hesitation, “You are the Christ, the son of God” (Matthew 16:16).
He boldly leads, falls, repents and continues to evolve from his mistakes. Peter recognizes the truth of Christ’s divinity and is willing to die for it. Jesus, cognizant of Peter’s faith and leadership ability, installs him as the first Pope of the Catholic Church.
Ruth is the picture of love, loyalty and trust. In her brief four-chapter story, we see a glimpse of what true family means. When Naomi’s son — Ruth’s husband — dies, according to custom, Ruth is free to return to her people. However, in the words used frequently in wedding ceremonies, Ruth replies, “… your people shall be my people, and your God shall be my God; where you die I will die and there I will be buried” (Ruth 1:16).
Ruth, a Moabite outsider, later marries Boaz, another of Naomi’s relatives. With the birth of her son Obed, “the father of Jesse, the father of (King) David” (Ruth 4:17), Ruth plays an indispensable role in salvation history. Her story speaks of the power of love and the reward of trust in God’s plan, which is rarely a straight line.
Finally, there is the equally short Book of Jonah. His story leaves me smiling while simultaneously convicting me of my own lack of forgiveness at times. God calls Jonah, a reluctant prophet, “Arise, go to Nineveh that great city, and cry against (the people) for their wickedness has come before me.” Because Nineveh has been an enemy of Israel, Jonah refuses.
He not only ignores God’s command, but hops the next ship out of town to travel to Tarshish, a mere 2,500 miles away. During the trip, a violent storm erupts. The sailors, wondering why this is happening, ask Jonah if he knows. Jonah admits that just maybe it might have something to do with him refusing God’s request. He then suggests that their problems could be resolved by tossing him overboard. They agree. The storm subsides. Jonah is swallowed by a whale.
Three days later he is spit out on the coast of Joppa. He finally reaches Nineveh and warns the king to get his act together or face the wrath of God. Much to his surprise and dismay, the king immediately rends his royal garments, puts on sackcloth, sits in ashes and repents. But, not before he decrees that all his subjects do the same. Nineveh is saved!
Happy ending!? Yes, for everyone but Jonah. Jonah is angry that God was merciful to these sinners, Israel’s enemies. Jonah wished for Nineveh’s destruction, his form of justice. Jonah then sits in the desert under a solitary tree sulking.
When we have been wronged, isn’t Jonah’s reaction similar to ours? We wish that hurtful person might feel the pain of their wrongdoing? Yet, God’s ways are not our ways. And, wanting vengeance is a sign of a broken heart. Jesus clearly tells us that we must, “Pray for your enemies.”
All of the Bible is a reflection of humanity’s stories. As Bishop (Robert) Barron recently asked in his talk at the (National) Eucharistic Congress, “Which voice do we follow?” Do we listen to the world’s voice which says that pleasure, power, wealth and honor are what we should seek? Or, do we follow the voice of God which tells us to trust him and be obedient to his commands?
All of the Scriptures are inspired by God. The Bible is God’s voice in the world. Each story is a reflection of the outcome of the choices made. As Bishop Barron stated at the end of his talk, “In a culture of self-invention, which voice do you follow? Everything else will be a footnote.”