Daily Readings - Tue Oct 05 2021
Jonah
1Then the word of the LORD came to Jonah a second time:2"Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you."3Jonah obeyed the word of the LORD and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very important city-a visit required three days.4On the first day, Jonah started into the city. He proclaimed: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned."5The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.6When the news reached the king of Nineveh, he rose from his throne, took off his royal robes, covered himself with sackcloth and sat down in the dust.7Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh: "By the decree of the king and his nobles: Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink.8But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.9Who knows? God may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish."10When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.
Luke
38As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him.39She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said.40But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!"41"Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things,42but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."
Sermon
In today's readings, we encounter two powerful narratives that invite us to reflect on our response to God's presence in our lives. The first reading from Jonah recounts the prophet's mission to Nineveh, where the entire city, from the king to the lowest citizen, repents upon hearing Jonah's warning. Their swift and sincere repentance moves God to spare the city, illustrating the profound impact of genuine conversion. This story underscores the universal call to turn away from sin and towards God's mercy.
The Gospel presents a different yet complementary scene. Jesus visits the home of Martha and Mary, where Martha is consumed by the duties of hospitality while Mary sits at Jesus' feet, absorbed in his word. Jesus gently chides Martha, affirming that Mary has chosen the "better part," which will not be taken from her. This passage highlights the importance of prioritizing our spiritual life, of listening to and being present with the Lord amidst life's busyness.
Both readings call us to examine our own lives. Like the people of Nineveh, we are invited to repent and turn towards God with sincerity. Like Mary, we are encouraged to create space for prayer and reflection, allowing God's word to transform us. In a world that often values productivity over presence, these readings remind us that our ultimate priority should be our relationship with God. May we, like Mary, choose the better part, and may we, like the Ninevites, respond with humility and openness to God's call.