Daily Readings - Tue Oct 07 2025
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 stories that invite us to reflect on repentance, faith, and the balance between action and contemplation. The first reading from Jonah recounts the prophet’s second call to Nineveh, a city steeped in sin. Jonah, having initially fled from his mission, now obeys God’s command and proclaims a message of impending judgment. The people of Nineveh, from the king to the lowest citizen, respond with extraordinary humility, fasting, and sackcloth. Their repentance moves God to spare the city, demonstrating the boundless mercy of the Lord when we turn from sin and seek His forgiveness.
The Gospel reading from Luke offers a contrasting yet complementary lesson. Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary, where Martha is consumed by the busyness of hospitality, while Mary sits at Jesus’ feet, listening intently to His words. Martha’s frustration prompts Jesus to remind her that while service is important, it is not the only thing. Mary has chosen “the better part,” prioritizing spiritual nourishment over worldly tasks. This passage invites us to examine our own lives, ensuring that we do not allow the demands of the world to overshadow our relationship with God.
Together, these readings challenge us to live lives of balance and faith. Like the people of Nineveh, we are called to repentance and humility, recognizing that our sins do not define us, but God’s mercy can transform us. Like Mary, we are invited to prioritize time with the Lord, listening to His voice and deepening our spiritual lives. Yet, like Martha, we are also called to serve others with love and generosity. The key is to find harmony between action and contemplation, ensuring that our works flow from a heart rooted in prayer and faith. Let us strive to live in such a way that our actions reflect our love for God and our trust in His providence.