Today's Catholic Mass Reading and Gospel Reflection - October 8, 2025

Learning God’s Mercy Through Prayer 1st Reading - Jonah 4:1-11 Gospel - Lk 11:1-4 In the first reading, Jonah becomes angry because God spares Nineveh after their repentance. He struggles to understand God’s mercy, wishing instead for judgment. God patiently teaches Jonah that His compassion extends to all, even those Jonah considered unworthy. This passage reminds us that God’s ways are higher than ours, and His mercy is limitless. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray, giving them the words of the Our Father. This prayer centers on God’s holiness, His kingdom, daily needs, forgiveness, and protection. It is both simple and profound, reminding us of our dependence on the Father’s love and mercy. By praying as Jesus taught, we align our hearts with God’s will. Together, these readings call us to embrace God’s mercy and learn humility through prayer. Jonah’s story shows the challenge of accepting that God’s compassion is wider than our own. Jesus’ teaching shows that prayer is the path to transformation, softening our hearts to mirror the Father’s mercy. When we pray sincerely, we begin to see others with God’s eyes of love. Today, I will pray the Our Father slowly and reflect on each word with a sincere heart. I will ask God to help me grow in mercy toward those I may struggle to forgive. I will let prayer shape my thoughts and actions so I can reflect His love more clearly. I will trust that God’s mercy is greater than my understanding and seek to share it with others.