The Prophet Nahum rejoices in the destruction of the city of Nineveh, the capital of the neo-Assyrian Empire. Yahweh now redresses the pain of the northern kingdom of Israel (destroyed in 722 BC by this power) and the anxiety of the other smaller nations of the ancient Near East. We may find it repugnant to see an inspired writer gloating over the defeat of the hated enemy. Perhaps we would do well to transfer that abhorrence of evil to our own times. How do we react to the instances of injustice and greed? Do we make known the evil festering in our midst and seek to liberate both oppressor and oppressed?

In the Gospel Jesus teaches His doctrine of reversal of values. If we lose ourselves, we find ourselves. The cross is the gauge of our willingness to accept Jesus and His message. To borrow somewhat from Paul, self-fulfilment comes from self-emptying. Are we willing to move away from the gravitational pull of our ego to make Jesus the core of our existence? Do we dare to wait for reward on the last day rather than seek compensation here and now?