Daily Readings - Tue Oct 07 2025
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 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.