Rochester, MN Church: Jonah 3:3

It’s been a week of transitions. Our country is shifting to a new administration and we are all looking to a new year.  It’s a great moment to look ahead and imagine what comes after the suffering of the past year.  This week we hear the story of Jonah and his call to Nineveh.  When Jonah finally makes it to Nineveh, the people and leaders listen to him and allow themselves to be changed.  They repent, put on ash and sackcloth and cry out to God for forgiveness.  I think we need to follow their example - not that we need to wear sackcloth and ash, but that we need to take seriously the work of repentance.  Together we can face the reality of last year and in earnest turn to God in those places and make new decisions that will create a new, more just world.  Let’s consider repentance together and begin the work side by side.   

Peace, Pastor Shannon Smith