There is something greater than Jonah here
Galatians 4:22-24, 26-27, 31–5:1
Solomon was reputed to be a very wise king, such that the Queen of Sheba traveled all the way from Ethiopia to go and hear his wisdom. And when she had heard him, she exclaimed that what she saw and heard was much greater than the hearsay she had heard. But Solomon was not wise on his by natural means. The wisdom was given him as a special gift at Gibeon. God, through his Word, Jesus, gave the wisdom to Solomon. Now, when he comes in person, we understand why he says that there is something greater than Solomon here, for Wisdom is present in person.
When Jonah was sent to Nineveh, the people repented because of his words. People might then have thought that it was the word of the prophet that had converted them. But Jonah was a reluctant prophet. He tried to escape from God, and when people repented, he was sorry that they had been saved. It was not his word, but the word of God that had converted them, and now the Word had taken flesh; so, there is something greater than Jonah here.
We have heard the message of the first reading in which Paul addresses a specific situation in the Church at Galatia. His comparisons may have little appeal to us who are not Jews, yet there is something greater than Paul here. God is addressing us through Paul – and through the reader – with a message for us today. There is someone greater than Paul who wrote the gospel we heard, and the priest or deacon who read it for us. This word of God calls us to repentance and transformation. But maybe we have tried so often and failed. Then Paul tells us we are doing it the wrong way, trying to keep the Law by our own effort instead of starting with faith in Jesus Christ. That is why he gives us the example of Abraham.
Abraham so longed to have a child. He was past hope together with his wife. Then Sarah proposed something practical and acceptable at the time. Today they might have opted to adopt a child. She gave him her slave girl and they begot Ishmael. But God showed them that there is something greater than human effort. Sarah conceived even at a later stage than the birth of Ishmael. That is why Paul tells us: “So, my brothers, we are the children, not of the slave-girl, but of the free-born wife. When Christ freed us, he meant us to remain free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.”
Do not attribute your achievements to your strength, intelligence, experience, or knowledge, but to God. On the other hand, when things don't go too well, do not focus on your weaknesses, but on the strength of Jesus, not on your failures, but on the loving mercy of Jesus, not on your fears, but on the promises of Jesus.
