The first reading today is a classic example of heavy editing. The Jonah talked about in this short passage seems like a totally different Jonah than talked about in the book. This Jonah is
compliant and obedient and goes on to fulfill his mission without a hitch.  It even states in the reading that he did “the Lord’s
bidding.”  But looking at the whole book that did not happened
immediately. Yes, eventually he did the Lord’s bidding but after he had gone around God, going so far as to take a boat in the opposite direction of his mission, and it wasn’t until the big fish spew him out at where he was supposed to go in the first place that he finally accepted the mission. 
     The Jonah portrayed here is not really the Jonah mentioned
throughout the book.  Even at the end of the book, Jonah was also
sulking because God had forgiven His people.  He was an unlikely
candidate to be a prophet. He can be classified as a reluctant prophet, and immature as well.  It is really aggravating to see how the prophet Jonah is portrayed in this short first reading.  Can the real Jonah please stand up? Yet perhaps the point of the reading is that God does not call the perfect, but those that are weak, so God can show His strength and His power despite the weakness of the called. 
    As has been said before, in a classic line, “God does not call the
 qualified, he qualifies the called.”  In another part of the scripture in the letters of Paul, it says “God calls the weak to shame the strong” (1 Cor. 1:27).   And it is in the weakness that His power is perfected and shown. God does not call those who have their lives in perfect order.  Many times, people have wondered, “Why is this person (even a cleric) called to ministry?”  Perhaps doubting their own self-worth, some people as an excuse have also wondered, “Why me?” And the quick answer is, “Why not?” 
     The message of repentance is so strong and is so needed that God does not pick and choose.  Let no one think they were chosen because they were the best.  God chooses even those that are lacking and gives of His Spirit to make possible the proclamation of repentance.  There just needs to be some openness to heed and embrace the call of God so many people can be converted.  The second reading is a reminder for those who call themselves Christians not to get bogged down with temporal things, for everything is passing away.  There must be a sense of urgency to proclaim the Gospel of repentance, for the end is near.  
    The Gospel reading again shows God calls ordinary people to an
extraordinary mission to proclaim repentance.  God called John, the least in the kingdom of heaven, the voice crying in the desert to call straying humanity back to God.  When he was imprisoned Jesus called humble fishermen who were willing to put their nets aside to become fishers of men. It is noteworthy how these brothers jumped right away from their boat and left their nets behind (along with their father!) to embrace the call.  These men like Jonah were not perfect, but willing to learn and embark in a journey of faith. God does not want you to be perfect to embrace the call, God wants you open and to be ready to participate in His mission to save from punishment those who have repented.