As the Church enters Passiontide, the sacred liturgy deepens in its tone and intensity. The veiling of crosses, the silence surrounding the Gloria Patri, and the impending shadow of the Cross all press upon the soul a solemn urgency. The Gospel and readings chosen for this time are not arbitrary—they summon us to decision, to contrition, and to prepare for the Dies Irae, the Day of the Lord’s Passion.
On this Monday of Passion Week, the Church in her traditional lectionary presents us with Jonas 3:1–10 and John 7:32–39—two passages that echo a shared theme: the time of visitation, and what man does with that time.
“And the people of Ninive believed in God…” — Jonas 3:5
The Prophet Jonas, once reluctant, now preaches with fire. His message is stark: “Yet forty days, and Ninive shall be destroyed.” There is no embellishment, no compromise. And yet, the Ninevites believe. From the king to the cattle, all are clad in sackcloth and turn from evil.
St. Jerome writes: “Jonas preaches but a few words, and a whole city repents. Behold the power of a heart prepared for penance.” He marvels that such a pagan people would respond so swiftly, so decisively. This is a model for us. The Ninevites understood their moment of visitation. They did not presume on God’s mercy, but responded immediately. As St. Augustine says, “God who created you without you, will not save you without you.”
Ninive, symbol of the Gentile world, anticipates the Church. But more than that, in Passiontide, she mirrors the soul called to penance before the Paschal mystery. As the Cross draws near, we are Jonah’s hearers—called to fast, to mourn, to rend not our garments, but our hearts.
“If any man thirst, let him come to Me and drink…” — John 7:37
Now turn to the Gospel. It is the Feast of Tabernacles. Christ, standing amidst those who seek His death, cries out with divine pathos: “Yet a little while I am with you, and then I go to Him that sent Me.” His hour has not yet come—but it looms. And then, a promise: “He that believeth in Me… out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
St. John Chrysostom comments: “This He said of the Spirit, but He spoke of it in figures; for it was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” The “living water” points us forward to Pentecost, but also backward to Moses striking the rock—a type of Christ. St. Ambrose writes: “The Rock is Christ, and the water flowing from it, the Holy Ghost.” But notice the sadness that underlies this offer: “Ye shall seek Me and shall not find Me.” The time of visitation is passing. The Lord is about to be hidden.
Here, we are unlike the Ninevites. The Pharisees seek to trap Him. The people are divided. Christ weeps over Jerusalem not in this passage, but it echoes here. The water of life is offered, but hearts are closed.
A Call in Passiontide
The juxtaposition is deliberate. The Ninevites respond; the people of Jerusalem do not. As we proceed into Passiontide, the Church asks: Which city are you?
The spiritual masters of the Church have long warned of the danger of presumption. St. Gregory the Great exhorts: “The same Lord who offers mercy is also the righteous Judge.” The days of Lent are our forty days. We are being preached to now. Christ walks among us now. Do not wait until He is hidden behind the veil of Good Friday.
And yet, do not fear. “If any man thirst…” The offer is still extended. Let us thirst. Let us turn like Nineve, not with vague sentiment but with fasting, weeping, and mourning, as Joel commands. Let us drink of the Spirit poured from the side of Christ, pierced for our sins.
Suggested Prayer for Today
Domine, da mihi aquam vivam.
O Lord, grant me the living water You promised. Make my soul like the Ninevites—quick to believe, quick to repent, slow to presume. In this Passiontide, do not let me miss the hour of Your visitation. Hide not Thy face from me when the veil is drawn.
Amen.