Daily Readings - Thu Sep 27 2018
Ecclesiastes
2Ecclesiastes said: Vanity of vanities! Vanity of vanities, and all is vanity3What more does a man have from all his labor, as he labors under the sun4A generation passes away, and a generation arrives. But the earth stands forever5The sun rises and sets; it returns to its place, and from there, being born again6it circles through the south, and arcs toward the north. The spirit continues on, illuminating everything in its circuit, and turning again in its cycle7All rivers enter into the sea, and the sea does not overflow. To the place from which the rivers go out, they return, so that they may flow again8Such things are difficult; man is not able to explain them with words. The eye is not satisfied by seeing, nor is the ear fulfilled by hearing9What is it that has existed? The same shall exist in the future. What is it that has been done? The same shall continue to be done10There is nothing new under the sun. Neither is anyone able to say: "Behold, this is new!" For it has already been brought forth in the ages that were before us11There is no remembrance of the former things. Indeed, neither shall there be any record of past things in the future, for those who will exist at the very end
Luke
7Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all the things that were being done by him, but he doubted, because it was sai8by some, "For John has risen from the dead," yet truly, by others, "For Elijah has appeared," and by still others, "For one of the prophets from of old has risen again.9And Herod said: "I beheaded John. So then, who is this, about whom I hear such things?" And he sought to see him
Sermon
The readings today invite us to reflect on the fleeting nature of life and the human search for meaning. In the first reading from Ecclesiastes, we hear the familiar refrain, "Vanity of vanities! All is vanity." The author laments the cyclical and repetitive nature of life, where generations come and go, and the earth remains unchanged. The sun rises and sets, rivers flow to the sea and return, yet humanity struggles to find lasting fulfillment. This passage reminds us that, despite our efforts and labors, much of what we experience in life is transient and unsatisfying. It challenges us to look beyond the surface level and seek deeper meaning.
In the Gospel, we encounter Herod, a man consumed by doubt and curiosity. He has heard of Jesus' works, but he is unsure who Jesus is. Some think Jesus is John the Baptist risen from the dead, others believe he is Elijah or one of the prophets of old. Herod's confusion reflects the spiritual blindness of those who cannot see beyond the immediate and the familiar. Like the author of Ecclesiastes, Herod is trapped in a cycle of uncertainty, unable to recognize the truth standing before him. This passage calls us to examine our own hearts and ask: Are we, like Herod, so focused on the temporary and the familiar that we fail to see the extraordinary work of God in our midst?
These readings remind us that true fulfillment and understanding come not from chasing the fleeting things of this world but from seeking the eternal and the divine. Ecclesiastes urges us to look beyond the vanity of life and find meaning in God, who is unchanging and everlasting. The Gospel challenges us to open our hearts and minds to the possibility of encountering God in unexpected ways. Let us not be like Herod, stuck in a cycle of doubt and confusion. Instead, let us seek the truth with humility and faith, knowing that only in God will we find the peace and fulfillment we so deeply desire.