Daily Readings - Sat Oct 11 2025
Joel
12Let them arise and ascend to the valley of Jehoshaphat. For there I will sit, so as to judge all the nations of the world13Send forth the sickles, because the harvest has matured. Advance and descend, for the press is full, the pressing room is overflowing. For their malice has been increasing14Nations, nations in the valley of being cut to pieces: for the day of the Lord fittingly takes place in the valley of being cut to pieces15The sun and the moon have been darkened, and the stars have withdrawn their splendor16And the Lord will roar from Zion and utter his voice from Jerusalem. And the heavens and the earth will be moved. And the Lord will be the hope of his people and the strength of the sons of Israel17And you will know that I am the Lord your God, dwelling on Zion, my holy mountain. And Jerusalem will be holy, and strangers will not cross through it anymore18And it will happen, in that day, that the mountains will drip sweetness, and the hills will flow with milk. And the waters will pass through all the rivers of Judah. And a fountain will go forth from the house of the Lord, and it will irrigate the desert of thorns19Egypt will be in desolation, and Edom will be a wilderness destroyed, because of what they have unfairly done to the sons of Judah, and because they have shed innocent blood in their land20And Judea will be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem for generation upon generation21And I will cleanse their blood, which I had not cleansed. And the Lord will remain in Zion
Sermon
The first reading from the Prophet Joel paints a vivid picture of the Day of the Lord, a time of judgment and restoration. Joel describes the nations gathering in the valley of Jehoshaphat, where God will judge them for their malice and injustices. The imagery of the harvest being ripe and the wine press overflowing signifies the inevitability of God’s judgment. Yet, amidst this solemn scene, Joel offers a message of hope: God will be the strength of his people, and Jerusalem will be holy and secure. The prophet envisions a future where the land flows with abundance, and God’s presence dwells forever in Zion. This reading reminds us that while God’s justice is fearsome, it is also transformative, leading to a world renewed and sanctified.
In the Gospel, Jesus responds to a woman’s praise of his mother by shifting the focus from physical relationship to spiritual fidelity. The woman blesses Mary for bearing and nursing Jesus, but Jesus counters, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” This exchange highlights the central importance of obedience to God’s will over earthly ties. Jesus is not dismissing Mary’s role but emphasizing that true blessedness comes from living according to God’s commandments and embracing His truth. This teaching challenges us to prioritize our spiritual lives and to seek holiness in our daily actions.
Both readings call us to reflect on our relationship with God and His plan for the world. Joel’s vision of judgment and restoration reminds us that God’s justice is both a call to repentance and a promise of renewal. Jesus’ words, on the other hand, invite us to reevaluate our priorities, ensuring that our faith is not merely sentimental but actively lived out in obedience. Together, these readings encourage us to trust in God’s providence, to live with integrity, and to seek His will above all else. May we strive to be among those who not only hear the word of God but also keep it, that we may find true blessedness and hope in His eternal plan.