For a world that defines justice on the ground of retribution, the restorative justice of God would seem scandalous. Yet this is what the book of Jonah introduces to us – the scandalous mercy of God. God forgives when the world yells “punish” because His thoughts and ways are different from ours (Isaiah 55:8). For “He desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (1 Tim. 2:4).
We have been severely wounded by sin and at the same time are so adamant not to be healed that God the Physician needs to constantly cajole us to repent so that He can restore us to Paradise. This is the true motive of fasting – the integral healing of our body and soul. Therefore when our bodies fast from food, may our souls fast from evil.
~ 𝐃𝐚𝐲𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐨 𝐅𝐫. 𝐁𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐥
Urho, The Way 