Lenten Retreat Conf. #3: The Reluctant Prophet: The Frightening Greatness of Mercy

The Reluctant Prophet: The Frightening Greatness of Mercy This conference focuses on the meaning of repentance and God’s mercy during Lent, . . . . . . using the Book of Jonah as a mirror for the human heart. When God calls Jonah to preach repentance to the wicked city of Nineveh, Jonah flees because he suspects that God might forgive them. His flight symbolizes how people often resist God’s will, cling to resentment, and struggle with the idea that mercy might extend even to their enemies. Through humorous and ironic events . . . Jonah fleeing by ship, being thrown into the sea, swallowed by a great fish, and finally preaching reluctantly . . . scripture reveals both the stubbornness of the human heart and the persistence of God’s grace. Jonah’s preaching leads the people of Nineveh to sincere repentance, and God spares the city, which angers Jonah because he prefers justice without mercy. Why? The conference further explains. The book of Jonah concludes with God challenging Jonah’s narrowness of heart. If Jonah can care about a small plant that gives him comfort, should not God care for the thousands of people in Nineveh who do not yet understand right from wrong? Jesus himself says, this generation will only receive the sign of Jonah. What Does That Mean? The conference then turns to Jesus Christ, who contrasts with Jonah. While Jonah runs from his mission and resents mercy, Christ willingly comes into the world and gives His life for sinners. Jesus fulfills the “sign of Jonah”: just as Jonah spent three days in the fish, Christ spends three days in the tomb, but unlike Jonah, He enters death to rescue humanity. Hear more within the conference! The central Lenten message is that God’s mercy is wider and more generous than human expectations. We are called not only to seek forgiveness through repentance and confession, but also to accept the radical scope of God’s mercy . . . even toward those they find hardest to forgive. Listen to this third devotional Lenten Retreat Conference and let it transform your heart. Listen to: The Reluctant Prophet: The Frightening Greatness of Mercy ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Note: This marks the Third Friday of the current Lenten Season, featuring special formation conferences covering a range of seasonal topics. Select the Friday Lenten Season Link on the QoAH website to see all conferences captured to date. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Art Work Christ Carrying the Cross: Italian Painter: Giovanni Bellini: 1500 The painting presents a quiet, intimate moment. Christ is shown close to the viewer, transforming the scene into a personal encounter . . . a call to contemplation and compassion. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- You can find out more about the icon referenced in the conference . . . when Jesus reaches down to pull Adam and Eve from Hell . . . links and the icon image appear on the QoAH website.