Daily Readings - Wed Oct 06 2021
Jonah
1And Jonah was afflicted with a great affliction, and he was angry2And he prayed to the Lord, and he said, "I beg you, Lord, was this not my word, when I was still in my own land? Because of this, I knew beforehand to flee into Tarshish. For I know that you are a lenient and merciful God, patient and great in compassion, and forgiving despite ill will3And now, Lord, I ask you to take my life from me. For it is better for me to die than to live.4And the Lord said, "Do you really think you are right to be angry?5And Jonah went out of the city, and he sat opposite the east of the city. And he made himself a shelter there, and he was sitting under it in the shadow, until he might see what would befall the city6And the Lord God prepared an ivy, and it ascended over the head of Jonah so as to be a shadow over his head, and to protect him (for he had labored hard). And Jonah rejoiced because of the ivy, with great rejoicing7And God prepared a worm, when dawn approached on the next day, and it struck the ivy, and it dried up8And when the sun had risen, the Lord ordered a hot and burning wind. And the sun beat down on the head of Jonah, and he burned. And he petitioned for his soul that he might die, and he said, "It is better for me to die than to live.9And the Lord said to Jonah, "Do you really think that you are right to be angry because of the ivy?" And he said, "I am right to be angry even unto death.10And the Lord said, "You grieve for the ivy, for which you have not labored and which you did not cause to grow, though it had been born during one night, and during one night perished11And shall I not spare Nineveh, the great city, in which there are more than one hundred and twenty thousand men, who do not know the difference between their right and their left, and many beasts?
Luke
1And it happened that, while he was in a certain place praying, when he ceased, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.2And he said to them: "When you are praying, say: Father, may your name be kept holy. May your kingdom come3Give us this day our daily bread4And forgive us our sins, since we also forgive all who are indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two profound lessons that guide us in our spiritual journey. The Book of Jonah presents a prophet grappling with God's mercy, while the Gospel of Luke offers Jesus' teachings on prayer. These passages invite us to reflect on our relationship with God and our neighbors.
Jonah's story reveals his anger and disappointment when the plant that shaded him withered. God's questioning of Jonah's anger highlights His own mercy and concern for the people of Nineveh. This narrative underscores God's universal love, extending beyond Jonah's personal comfort to encompass the salvation of an entire city. In contrast, the Gospel shares the Lord's Prayer, a model of humility and trust. Jesus teaches us to seek holiness, provision, forgiveness, and strength against temptation, emphasizing a selfless and compassionate approach to prayer.
These readings remind us to embrace empathy and selflessness. Like Jonah, we may face disappointments, but we are called to care for others as God does. The Lord's Prayer teaches us to forgive and seek forgiveness, fostering a community of love. Let us reflect on our attitudes toward others and our prayer life, striving to embody God's universal love and mercy in our daily lives.