Flee to Tarshish away from the Lord

“‘Set out for the great city of Nineveh, and preach against it; their wickedness has come up before me.’ But Jonah made ready to flee to Tarshish away from the LORD.” (JON 1: 2-3)

To travel from Joppa to Nineveh (today Mosul in Iraq) was 550 miles north-east; from Joppa to Tarshish (southern Spain, due north of Gibraltar) was 2500 miles—that means really “away from the Lord.” We have our own excuses and reasons why we don’t want to do what is recommended for us or even ordered to us. When our marriage is in crisis, we escape from difficulties into our work or being busy with children, or… just to be busy being busy to have an excuse not to work on improving our own relationship. God wants only the best for us; it is good to trust Him. 

“I give you a new commandment: love one another as I have loved you.” (Gospel Acclamation)