Daily Readings - Tue Oct 05 2021
Jonah
1Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah the second time, saying,2"Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it the message that I tell you."3So Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceedingly great city, three days' journey in breadth.4Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's journey. And he called out, "Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!"5And the people of Nineveh believed God. They called for a fast and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them to the least of them.6The word reached the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, removed his robe, covered himself with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.7And he issued a proclamation and published through Nineveh, "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste anything. Let them not feed or drink water,8but let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and let them call out mightily to God. Let everyone turn from his evil way and from the violence that is in his hands.9Who knows? God may turn and relent and turn from his fierce anger, so that we may not perish."10When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it.
Luke
38Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.39And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching.40But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me."41But the Lord answered her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,42but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will 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.