Jonah – Chapter 2

Old Testament11 Verses

1Now the Lord prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah: and Jonah was in the belly of a fish for three days and three nights.

2And Jonah prayed to the Lord, his God, out of the belly of the fish.

3And he said: I cried out of my affliction to the Lord, and he heard me: I cried out of the belly of hell, and thou hast heard my voice.

4And thou hast cast me forth into the deep, in the heart of the sea, and a flood hast compassed me: all thy billows, and thy waves have passed over me.

5And I said: I am cast away out of the sight of thy eyes: but yet I shall see the holy temple again.

6The waters compassed me about even to the soul: the deep hath closed me round about, the sea hath covered my head.

7I went down to the lowest parts of the mountains: the bars of the earth have shut me up for ever: and thou wilt bring up my life from corruption, O Lord, my God.

8When my soul was in distress within me, I remembered the Lord: that my prayer may come to thee, unto the holy temple.

9They that in vain observe vanities, forsake their own mercy.

10But I with the voice of praise will sacrifice to thee: I will pay whatsoever I have vowed for my salvation to the Lord.

11And the Lord spoke to the fish: and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

Reflection for Today

Jonah Chapter 2 presents themes of God's mercy extends to all nations that Catholic tradition has long cherished. Jesus cited Jonah as a sign of His resurrection (CIC 994). The teaching that God's compassion reaches even to enemies remains as relevant today as when first written.

The Church reads Scripture within the context of the liturgy, where the Word of God is proclaimed and celebrated. The Catechism teaches that "in the liturgy, God speaks to his people and Christ is still proclaiming his Gospel" (CIC 1088). This chapter, when read in the context of the Church's worship, takes on deeper meaning.

Catholic biblical scholarship, guided by the Magisterium, helps us understand both the historical context and the spiritual meaning of these texts. The four senses of Scripture—literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical—open up the richness of God's Word. May your reading of this chapter bear fruit in holiness and service to others.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

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