Penitence for animals?

There is something odd in today’s familiar first reading (Jonah 3:1-10), where the King of Nineveh decrees penitence for his realm.

Neither man nor beast, neither cattle nor sheep,
shall taste anything;
they shall not eat, nor shall they drink water.

Man and beast shall be covered with sackcloth
and call loudly to God;
every man shall turn from his evil way
and from the violence he has in hand.

Fasting and sackcloth for cows and sheep?

Why does the king decree penitence for the animals?

For one thing, what the king is saying is that the penitence is to be absolutely comprehensive, touching every aspect of life: even the practical and economic aspects of life (which would have centered around cattle and sheep in that time and place).

So too we, as part of our continuing conversion and our striving to be more and more like Christ in all things, must not exempt the practical and economic aspects of our lives.

Whether we herd sheep, write code or teach third graders, our attitude and behavior needs to reflect Christ, even on the job.