Daily Readings - Sat Oct 11 2025
Joel
12Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.13Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great.14Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.15The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.16The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel.17So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.18And it shall come to pass in that day, that the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the LORD, and shall water the valley of Shittim.19Egypt shall be a desolation, and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence against the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land.20But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem from generation to generation.21For I will cleanse their blood that I have not cleansed: for the LORD dwelleth in Zion.
Sermon
The first reading from the Prophet Joel paints a vivid picture of the Day of the Lord, a time of judgment and restoration. Joel describes the nations gathering in the valley of Jehoshaphat, where God will judge them for their malice and injustices. The imagery of the harvest being ripe and the wine press overflowing signifies the inevitability of God’s judgment. Yet, amidst this solemn scene, Joel offers a message of hope: God will be the strength of his people, and Jerusalem will be holy and secure. The prophet envisions a future where the land flows with abundance, and God’s presence dwells forever in Zion. This reading reminds us that while God’s justice is fearsome, it is also transformative, leading to a world renewed and sanctified.
In the Gospel, Jesus responds to a woman’s praise of his mother by shifting the focus from physical relationship to spiritual fidelity. The woman blesses Mary for bearing and nursing Jesus, but Jesus counters, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.” This exchange highlights the central importance of obedience to God’s will over earthly ties. Jesus is not dismissing Mary’s role but emphasizing that true blessedness comes from living according to God’s commandments and embracing His truth. This teaching challenges us to prioritize our spiritual lives and to seek holiness in our daily actions.
Both readings call us to reflect on our relationship with God and His plan for the world. Joel’s vision of judgment and restoration reminds us that God’s justice is both a call to repentance and a promise of renewal. Jesus’ words, on the other hand, invite us to reevaluate our priorities, ensuring that our faith is not merely sentimental but actively lived out in obedience. Together, these readings encourage us to trust in God’s providence, to live with integrity, and to seek His will above all else. May we strive to be among those who not only hear the word of God but also keep it, that we may find true blessedness and hope in His eternal plan.