Daily Readings - Sat Oct 11 2025
Joel
12"Let the nations be roused; let them advance into the Valley of Jehoshaphat, for there I will sit to judge all the nations on every side.13Swing the sickle, for the harvest is ripe. Come, trample the grapes, for the winepress is full and the vats overflow- so great is their wickedness!"14Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.15The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars no longer shine.16The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.17"Then you will know that I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her.18"In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the LORD's house and will water the valley of acacias.19But Egypt will be desolate, Edom a desert waste, because of violence done to the people of Judah, in whose land they shed innocent blood.20Judah will be inhabited forever and Jerusalem through all generations.21Their bloodguilt, which I have not pardoned, I will pardon." The LORD dwells 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.