Daily Readings - Wed Oct 06 2021
Jonah
1But Jonah was greatly displeased and became angry.2He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.3Now, O LORD, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live."4But the LORD replied, "Have you any right to be angry?"5Jonah went out and sat down at a place east of the city. There he made himself a shelter, sat in its shade and waited to see what would happen to the city.6Then the LORD God provided a vine and made it grow up over Jonah to give shade for his head to ease his discomfort, and Jonah was very happy about the vine.7But at dawn the next day God provided a worm, which chewed the vine so that it withered.8When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah's head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, "It would be better for me to die than to live."9But God said to Jonah, "Do you have a right to be angry about the vine?I do," he said. "I am angry enough to die."10But the LORD said, "You have been concerned about this vine, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight.11But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?"
Luke
1One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples."2He said to them, "When you pray, say: "'Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come.3Give us each day our daily bread.4Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. '"
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.