Patristic Wisdom: Looking to the Third Sunday after Epiphany

Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying, “Arise and go to Nineveh, the great city, and preach there according to the message I previously spoke to you.” So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, just as the Lord spoke. Nineveh was an exceedingly great city to God, a journey of about three days. And Jonah began to enter into the city, going a day’s journey, where he proclaimed and said, “Yet three days and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” And the men of Nineveh believed God. They proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least. … And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil ways. And God had a change of heart about the evil which He said He would do to them, and He did not do it. (Jonah 3:1–5, 10)

We should not despair of those who are still unwilling to correct their vices and do not even blush to defend them. In a similar way hope was not abandoned for that city of which it is written, “Three days more, and Nineveh shall be destroyed”; yet in those three days it was able to be converted, pray, bewail and merit mercy from the threatened punishment. Therefore let all who are such listen to God while it is possible to hear him in his silence; that is, not punishing at present. For he will come and will not be silent, and he will then reprove when there is no chance of amendment.

Caesarius of Arles, Sermon 133.3

If you want, let us also hear this story: “Now the word of the Lord,” it says, “came to Jonah, saying, ‘Rise and go to Nineveh, the great city.’” He wanted to put Jonah to shame by sending him to the great city of Nineveh because he foresaw the prophet's escape. However, let us also listen to the preaching: “Yet three days and Nineveh shall be overthrown.” Why do you, God, foretell the sufferings that you will inflict upon Nineveh? “So that I will not do what I announced.” This is why God threatened with hell—so he would not lead anyone away to hell. He says, “Fear that which is spoken to you, and do not be saddened about what has been done.” [Ec 7:21] Why does he establish the appointed time to be only a period of three days? So that you may learn even the virtue of the barbarians—I call the Ninevites barbarians, who were able to annul in three days such anger caused by sin. I want you to marvel at the philanthropy of God, who was satisfied with three days of repentance for so many transgressions. I do not want you to sink into despair, even though you have innumerable sins.

John Chrysostom, Homilies on Repentance and Almsgiving 5.4