Our two readings today remind us to be mindful that God is God and we are not. While we are created in the image and likeness of our God, we need to be careful not to cast God in our image (or in any image). One thing we certainly are at least occasionally and which God is not is petty. Who among us has not felt cheated or unwanted or victimized when someone else received the job or promotion for which we had applied? Unless we are an obvious second choice (and sometimes not even then) we think and feel we should have been chosen. And since we probably will never know all the factors which contributed to another person being selected (and us being rejected) it is easy to be petty and throw a pity party. And often enough we do.

Jonah was chosen and sent even though he had desired that God select another. He was successful preaching repentance such that all of Ninevah repented, but he would have preferred personal failure and the destruction of Ninevah. Because God does not act according to his design, Jonah claims he prefers death than continued life. God's preferences, punishments and pardons are not always according to our liking or judgments.

The Gospel reminds us to ask for what we need and want but always putting God's will ahead of what we need or want or think proper. It is with God's grace that we can more likely avoid pettiness and recognize and be grateful for our blessings and God's love.