Daily Readings - Tue Oct 07 2025
Jonah
1And the word of the LORD came unto Jonah the second time, saying,2Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee.3So Jonah arose, and went unto Nineveh, according to the word of the LORD. Now Nineveh was an exceeding great city of three days' journey.4And Jonah began to enter into the city a day's journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown.5So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them.6For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes.7And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water:8But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands.9Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not?10And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.
Luke
38Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.39And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall 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.