Daily Readings - Tue Oct 07 2025
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 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.