Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/328



fter the  death of  Eliseus,  the  Lord  wishing  to  show  mercy to the  Gentiles,  raised  up  the  prophet  Jonas  that  he  might go to  Ninive,  and  preach  penance  to  the  inhabitants  of  that  city. The wickedness  of  the  pagan  Ninivites  had  provoked  the  anger of God,  and  He  had  said  to  Jonas:  “Arise,  and  go  to  Ninive and preach  in  it, for  the  wickedness  thereof  is  come  up before  Me.”

Jonas, however,  knew  that  the  Lord  easily  forgives;  hence he was  afraid  that  if  he  preached  to  the  people  of  Ninive  they would do  penance,  and  that  consequently  the  Lord  would  spare them, while  he  himself  would  be  looked  upon  as  a false  prophet. So Jonas  rose  up  to  flee  from  the  face  of  the  Lord,  and  he embarked  on  board  a ship  which  sailed  for  Tharsis. But the Lord sent  a great  storm,  and  the  sea  heaved  and  swelled,  and the ship  threatened  to  sink.

Then the  sailors,  being  frightened,  threw  into  the  sea  all  the merchandise that  was  on  board,  in  order  to  lighten  the  vessel. And each  one  began  praying  to  his  own  god  for  help. But Jonas was below,  fast  asleep,  and  the  shipmaster  went  to  him  and  said: