Message from Mr. Jake Kurian, seminarian at St. Tikhons:
As we are in the Nineveh Lent (Mon morning – Thurs morning), here are some small thoughts for meditation. Keep in mind, if you haven’t started participating in the lent, don’t feel discouraged, you can start now.
First, I highly recommend to read and meditate on the book of Jonah. It’s only 4 chapters long, so one chapter a day would be great for meditation. The experience of the Prophet Jonah can be something we may all experience from time to time, as it is difficult to do what God asks us to do in living a holy life.
Why do we observe these three days of fasting?
It is called the Nineveh Lent; We remember the 3 days that the Prophet Jonah was in the belly of the whale after being thrown into the sea. The main theme of this lent is repentance. We look at the example of the fasting and repentance of the Ninevites. We beseech the Lord as He had mercy on the Ninevites, to have mercy on us.
What is the significance of 3 days?
The 3 days Jonah spent in the belly of the whale prefigure, or foreshadow, the 3 days Christ spent in the ground of the earth (in the tomb).
Christ Himself says, “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” St. Matthew 12:40
What are to learn from these three days of fasting?
Just as the prophets prepared the world for Christ, and many events of the Old Testament are fulfilled in Christ, we too must prepare for the ministry and Passion of Christ. The Nineveh Lent prepares us for the Great Lent, during which we actually experience ministry of Christ (the Gospels during the Lenten Sunday), His Mystical Supper (Pesaha), and Crucifixion (Good Friday). This all culminates in the Resurrection, the most joyous day of the Church.
Also, the theme of repentance pervades the story of Jonah. Just as the Ninevites repent from their evil ways, we too must repent from our evil ways. Only a heart of repentance can begin to fully understand the love of Christ for all mankind. Through understanding of that love, we have no choice but to submit our lives for His Glory. I end with a song from our Home Blessing Service:
From the deluge was rescued
Prophet Jonah – by Thee, Lord!
Rescue Thy servants from the
Deluge of sorrows and pain
