Daily Readings - Wed Oct 06 2021
Jonah
1But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry.2And he prayed to the LORD and said, "O LORD, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster.3Therefore now, O LORD, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live."4And the LORD said, "Do you do well to be angry?"5Jonah went out of the city and sat to the east of the city and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, till he should see what would become of the city.6Now the LORD God appointed a plant and made it come up over Jonah, that it might be a shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort. So Jonah was exceedingly glad because of the plant.7But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the plant, so that it withered.8When the sun rose, God appointed a scorching east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint. And he asked that he might die and said, "It is better for me to die than to live."9But God said to Jonah, "Do you do well to be angry for the plant?" And he said, "Yes, I do well to be angry, angry enough to die."10And the LORD said, "You pity the plant, for which you did not labor, nor did you make it grow, which came into being in a night and perished in a night.11And should not I pity Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than 120,000 persons who do not know their right hand from their left, and also much cattle?"
Luke
1Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."2And he said to them, "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come.3Give us each day our daily bread,4and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is 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.