Jonah 1:1- 2:1, 11 | Ps. Jonah 2:2-5, 8 | Lk 10:25-37

We begin the story of Jonah today.  The message to Jonah is similar to the Gospel message of the Good Samaritan.  We are called to listen to the Word of God and to go out to act on that word on behalf of others.  Jonah did not want to hear God’s Word; so, he ran away and brought difficulty to those who were in the ship.  The three people who walked past the man beaten by the robbers all heard the Word of God, but each responded in a different way.  Two decided to walk past him, while the third went out of his way to help him and bring him to healing.

Each day of our lives, God comes to speak to us.  We do not hear actual words; but, we do encounter God in our family, neighbors and co-workers.  We are called to listen to these people with open hearts and love. How we respond to them tells us how much we love God.  Pause to consider how you respond to those who are in need.  How will you be a neighbor to these people?  Do you respond with love, or do you walk on to do other things?