Jonah 1:1 - 2:1, 11 / Luke 10:25-37
Between professionals and amateurs, it would be expected that professionals would be more competent, efficient and effective.
After all, the professionals are trained, they have the experience, the skills and the equipment for the job.
On the other hand, amateurs have their limitations, but because there are no expectations from them, they can be innovative and maybe even creative.
In religion, there are no professionals and amateurs.
A person is either a practitioner or he is not.
And as a practitioner, that person professes his belief in the religion.
In the 1st reading, Jonah tells the pagan sailors that he is a Jew and that he is trying to escape from the Lord God.
What was surprising is that the pagan sailors tried to save Jonah’s life.
But in the end, when they had to throw Jonah overboard, they begged the Lord God for forgiveness and even worshipped God when the sea became calm again.
It was such a stark contrast to the attitude of Jonah, who believed in God but was indifferent and even tried to run away from God.
In the gospel, Jesus told a parable that surprised the listeners, because they would not have expected a Samaritan to come to the aid of a Jew.
Both readings tell us that even pagans have reverence for God and understand the truth of life and human values.
As for us who profess our belief in God, may we be firm in our faith, so that we share our faith with those who are searching for God.