The ancient Assyrians had a reputation for cruelty in war. In 722 BCE, the Assryians conquered Israel and carried away hundreds of people into captivity. So when God calls Jonah to prophesy to the Assyrian capital, Ninevah, it seems natural that Jonah does not want to go there.

Jonah knows the Assyrians worship idols and he knows about their reputation in war. How could God love such people? Surprisingly, however, when the Ninevites hear Jonah's call to repent, they listen to him, they obey, they change. Yes, the people of Ninevah are sinners. Yet when they seek God's mercy, God shows them mercy. No one is outside the love of God.

The change begins when the people choose to listen to Jonah, when they choose to listen to God. In today's Gospel, Mary is praised because she also listens to the Lord.

In prayer, do I leave time to listen to Jesus? Do I ever hear the Lord speaking during my daily life? We can recognize the Lord's voice by its fruits: an enduring sense of peace in our hearts, hope for the future, courage to love or a sense of drawing closer to God.