When God spared the Ninevites on their repentance, Jonah was very angry, and full of fretfulness. He blamed God, and said, It is better for me to die than to live. He could not endure to be little thought of. Is there not much of this very wrong spirit in us? We don't like to be of small account, and little esteemed. We are not indeed called upon to make ourselves despised, which has been the mistake of some holy men and women, but when we are contemned, and little regarded, let us consider: First - How our dear Lord was so treated. He was despised and rejected of men. He hath a devil, they said, and is mad, why hear you him? Next: Do we not deserve to be little esteemed by God, by holy angels, by saints, perhaps by our fellow-worshippers, and our neighbours? If so, why are we angry because men in general do not esteem us? Again: If the secrets of our hearts were fully laid open to others, who would or could highly regard us? Once More: To be despised and of little esteem is a slight touch of His cross, which Jesus gives us, and any conformity with Him is a blessing that will have a full recompense. Only let us take heed that the little esteem, the contempt, and reproaches of men, come to us, as it would have been Jonah's case, for our obedience to God's commandments, and our firm, open, consistent attention to His will. If any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed, but glorify God.
- text taken from Daily Bread - Bring a Few Morning Meditations for the Use of Catholic Christians by Father Richard Waldo Sibthorp