1st Reading – Jonah 3:1-5, 10
Commentators who have interpreted this book as a historical narrative identify Jonah with the 8th century B.C. prophet mentioned in 2 Kings 14:25. However, a majority of scholars today date the book between 200 and 400 B.C. based on the language used and the fact that a number of words used in the book are not found elsewhere in the Old Testament but only in later Hebrew literature.
The book is not regarded by most scholars as historical, but rather as a parable with elements of allegory; with the chief concern of the author being the teaching of a religious message. There is a striking contrast between the character of Jonah and that portrayed as Elijah in the historical writings (1 Kings).
Our reading for today occurs after Jonah’s encounter with the great fish. To better understand the context of the reading, we will study all of Jonah chapter 3.
2nd Reading – 1 Corinthians 7:29-31
Last week we heard St. Paul address the last of the scandals of the church at Corinth. Now he begins to answer various questions which have been asked of him. The one addressed today concerns marriage and virginity. We hear from his concluding remarks to
this question.
Gospel – Mark 1:14-20
Last week we heard Jesus begin to gather His disciples around Him. This event takes place in Mark’s gospel just after the account of Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan, the event which signaled the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry, and by His temptation in the desert. Again this week we hear of Him gathering followers.
