Daily Readings - Tue Oct 08 2019
Jonah
1And the word of the Lord came to Jonah a second time, saying2Rise, and go to Nineveh, the great city. And preach in it the preaching that I say to you3And Jonah rose, and he went to Nineveh in accordance with the word of the Lord. And Nineveh was a great city of three days’ journey4And Jonah began to enter into the city one day’s journey. And he cried out and said, "Forty days more and Nineveh shall be destroyed.5And the men of Nineveh believed in God. And they proclaimed a fast, and they put on sackcloth, from the greatest all the way to the least6And word reached the king of Nineveh. And he rose from his throne, and he threw off his robe from himself and was clothed in sackcloth, and he sat in ashes7And he cried out and spoke: "In Nineveh, from the mouth of the king and of his princes, let it be said: Men and beasts and oxen and sheep may not taste anything. Neither shall they feed or drink water8And let men and beasts be covered with sackcloth, and let them cry out to the Lord with strength, and may man be converted from his evil way, and from the iniquity that is in their hands9Who knows if God may turn and forgive, and may turn away from his furious wrath, so that we might not perish?10And God saw their works, that they had been converted from their evil way. And God took pity on them, concerning the harm that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it
Luke
38Now it happened that, while they were traveling, he entered into a certain town. And a certain woman, named Martha, received him into her home39And she had a sister, named Mary, who, while sitting beside the Lord’s feet, was listening to his word40Now Martha was continually busying herself with serving. And she stood still and said: "Lord, is it not a concern to you that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore, speak to her, so that she may help me.41And the Lord responded by saying to her: "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled over many things42And yet only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the best portion, and it shall not be taken away from her.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our response to His call. The first reading from Jonah recounts the prophet's mission to Nineveh, a city steeped in sin. Despite Jonah's initial reluctance, he ultimately obeys God's command, preaching a message of repentance. The people of Nineveh, from the king to the lowest citizen, heed the warning, fasting and seeking mercy. Their sincere conversion moves God to spare the city, demonstrating His boundless compassion and readiness to forgive.
The Gospel passage shifts our focus to the home of Martha and Mary, where Jesus is a guest. While Martha is consumed by the duties of hospitality, Mary chooses to sit at Jesus' feet, listening intently to His words. When Martha complains, Jesus gently reminds her that Mary has chosen the "better part," which will not be taken from her. This story highlights the importance of balancing action with contemplation, urging us to prioritize our spiritual nourishment amidst life's demands.
Both readings call us to examine our priorities and responses to God's presence in our lives. Like the people of Nineveh, we are invited to turn away from sin and seek mercy with humility. Like Mary, we are encouraged to cultivate a deep, listening relationship with Jesus, even in the midst of busy lives. May we, like these biblical figures, embrace God's call with openness and faith, trusting in His love and forgiveness to guide us on our journey.