Daily Readings - Tue Oct 05 2021
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 response to God's presence in our lives. The first reading from Jonah recounts the prophet's mission to Nineveh, where the entire city, from the king to the lowest citizen, repents upon hearing Jonah's warning. Their swift and sincere repentance moves God to spare the city, illustrating the profound impact of genuine conversion. This story underscores the universal call to turn away from sin and towards God's mercy.
The Gospel presents a different yet complementary scene. Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary, where Martha is consumed by the duties of hospitality while Mary sits at Jesus' feet, absorbed in his word. Jesus gently chides Martha, affirming that Mary has chosen the "better part," which will not be taken from her. This passage highlights the importance of prioritizing our spiritual life, of listening to and being present with the Lord amidst life's busyness.
Both readings call us to examine our own lives. Like the people of Nineveh, we are invited to repent and turn towards God with sincerity. Like Mary, we are encouraged to create space for prayer and reflection, allowing God's word to transform us. In a world that often values productivity over presence, these readings remind us that our ultimate priority should be our relationship with God. May we, like Mary, choose the better part, and may we, like the Ninevites, respond with humility and openness to God's call.