When the people of Nineveh believed God

“Jonah began his journey through the city, and had gone but a single day’s walk announcing, ‘Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed,’ when the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast and all of them, great and small, put on sackcloth.” (JON 3: 4-5)

“When the people believed God… they proclaimed a fast,” because those who “hear the word of God, observe it,” and take heed, as a consequence. Only believers know who God is; only believers know how much they are loved; only believers want to answer to God properly—loving Him. The “fast and sackcloth” are signs of respect and acts of contrition, which are only calls for God’s merciful love.

“Blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.” (Gospel Acclamation)