If the matter weren't so serious it would be almost amusing. In Jonah God is dealing with a sulky, obstructive prophet who didn't want his mercy to be announced to the Ninivites. Jonah was a difficult person but we can have some sympathy with him when we realize that the Ninivites were one group among many who had given the people of Israel a hard time. In addition Jonah is genuinely puzzled and even shocked that God wants to show mercy to a people who in all "Justice" should be punished for their sins. For us it is a little easier to reconcile these seemingly contradictory virtues. We have heard the good news of Jesus' life, death and resurrection. We know that through the grace of God our guilt is purged by a vision of our sinfulness combined with the strength to do something about it. Conversion, change and reconciliation are possible.

By turning on and off the 'air-conditioning' God hoped to introduce the crucial element of mercy into Jonah's righteousness.

Almost at the end of the "Our Father" that today's Gospel gives us, we pray that our sins may be forgiven because we have forgiven those who sinned against us. Did Jonah manage to squeeze out such a prayer before another fierce furnace blast made him beg for relief? Did he manage to realize he too was a sinner? Did he "agree" to the Ninivites receiving mercy? The story does not tell us. Let's hope he did. Do we, too, need the scorching wind treatment?