Daily Readings - Wed Oct 06 2021
Jonah
1But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was very angry.2And he prayed unto the LORD, and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was not this my saying, when I was yet in my country? Therefore I fled before unto Tarshish: for I knew that thou art a gracious God, and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repentest thee of the evil.3Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.4Then said the LORD, Doest thou well to be angry?5So Jonah went out of the city, and sat on the east side of the city, and there made him a booth, and sat under it in the shadow, till he might see what would become of the city.6And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.7But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.8And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.9And God said to Jonah, Doest thou well to be angry for the gourd? And he said, I do well to be angry, even unto death.10Then said the LORD, Thou hast had pity on the gourd, for the which thou hast not laboured, neither madest it grow; which came up in a night, and perished in a night:11And should not I spare Nineveh, that great city, wherein are more than sixscore thousand persons that cannot discern between their right hand and their left hand; and also much cattle?
Luke
1And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.2And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.3Give us day by day our daily bread.4And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil.
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.